UB has a new full time president. Dr Vincent Palacio had already been working as the interim President - and he has now been appointed as the national university's full president, succeeding Professor Emeritus Clement Sankat in that post.
Today, the Minister of Education said that he believes his objectives for the university line up with Dr Palacio's, making him a good fit for the job.
Francis Fonseca, Minister of Education
"Just yesterday we celebrated in Belmopan on the UB Campus, the 22nd anniversary of the founding of our National University of Belize. As you said, Dr. Vincent Palacio has been the acting interim president. That process is undertaken by the board of trustees of UB, they have a comprehensive search process, they appointed a search committee that they advertise widely. I believe, based on the report we received, they had about 6 applicants, they engaged in a comprehensive process, interviews and at the end of the day they recommended because as you know, under the UB Act, the president is appointed by the Governor General on advice of the Prime Minister. So, at the end of that process, the search committee recommended that Dr. Vincent Palacio be appointed to the post. That recommendation was accepted by the Cabinet, accepted by the Prime Minister. They consulted with the leader of the opposition and the Governor General will then proceed."
Reporter
"Any expectations of how the University will progress on this leadership?"
Francis Fonseca, Minister of Education
"Yes, I think we've had a number of, I've had opportunity by the invitation of the board to meet with them and talk to them about certainly my vision for the University. I think we have a shared vision; I think Dr. Palacio understands that the National University of Belize is really the flagship institution of our education system. It has to be a leading voice, a leading light in education and it has to be at the forefront of national development issues. That is something I have stressed, and I think they understand that. I think we have a lot of excellent professors at UB and I think UB has come a long way in these past 22 years. So, I am very optimistic about the future and very confident about the leadership of Dr. Vincent Palacio."
