Posted Originally in Breaking Belize News – Wednesday, September 8, 2021. 9:05 pm CST.

By Benjamin Flowers: This week, Galen University signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Blue Economy and Civil Aviation which will help to empower graduates with the skills that the Ministry is looking for to help drive the Blue Economy forward.

The MOU was signed at Galen’s Central Farm Campus on Monday, by the Minister of the Blue Economy and Civil Aviation Andre Perz, and Provost for Galen University Dr. Cynthia Eve Aird,

The MOU will see the Ministry and Galen University collaborating on a review of the school’s Environmental Science program and to develop courses and programs to support the Blue Economy. This will also include collaborating on research at their Calabash Caye and other research stations.

“As we put pen to paper, it is a historic day, because as a fledgling but bold ministry we sign our first MOU for such an important and symbolic matter,” Perez said. “By signing this MOU with Galen University at this juncture of our development as a new ministry, we are inviting Galen to grow with us and to expand its opportunities beyond horizons imaginable.”

Perez stressed that the signing shows the ministry’s commitment to inclusivity, and said that opportunities exist for future collaborations with the possibility of an agreement under the civil aviation portfolio.

Galen University is one of Belize’s premier institutions for higher education. Its main campus is in Central Farm and Galen boasts a number of satellite programs. However, shortly after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, all of Galen’s courses were delivered online and continue to be delivered using the online platforms.

Enrollment at Galen for the current semester is nearing 600 students for all of its degree programs.