Belize Expands Robotics Push With New Education Partnership

Belize is strengthening its push into technology and innovation through a new partnership focused on robotics education.  This morning, the Ministry of E-Governance joined with the Robotics Federation of Belize and VEX Robotics to sign a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at expanding robotics training and opportunities for students across the country.

The ceremony took place at the Fort George Digital Connect Center in Belize City, where government officials, educators, and students gathered for the official signing.  President of the Robotics Federation of Belize, Jamie Lee Usher, delivered the opening remarks, emphasizing the importance of exposing young Belizeans to science, technology, engineering and mathematics at an early age.

Jamie Lee Usher, Principal, Belize High School: “Well, we’re excited to be able to translate competition-type skills in developing robots towards workforce readiness by having them work with application-based scenarios. So the VEX platform includes several important engagements at the teacher level. So it comes with education, lesson plans, education training for the teachers, educational supports for students. So it will definitely build workforce readiness. As our training support, what we will do is try to build the trainer of trainers. So Mr. Sosa is our primary trainer but what we would want to do is have champions in each district emerge to be able to learn from Mr. Sosa to then be able to translate that to other groups of young people as leaders themselves. I believe the Prime Minister endorsed the program that he is definitely going to make this a system that will be translated across the country, working with the 14 as a start in terms of the number of digital connect centers that we have and growing from there. So I think we have the personal commitment of the Prime Minister today.”

The event also featured student showcases, including demonstrations of VEX robotics workcells and competition robots, highlighting the practical skills students are developing through robotics programs.  Virtual remarks were also delivered by Tim Friez, Vice President of Educational Technology at VEX Robotics, who spoke about the role of international collaboration in advancing STEM education.  Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of E-Governance, Jose Urbina, outlined the next steps for the initiative, noting that the partnership is expected to support the growth of robotics programs and strengthen Belize’s broader digital transformation efforts.  Delivering the keynote address was Prime Minister John Briceño, who spoke about the importance of preparing Belizean students for careers in a technology-driven world.

The ceremony concluded with the official signing of the Memorandum of Understanding by Prime Minister Briceño, Jamie Lee Usher, and John Harvey representing VEX Robotics, followed by a group photo with participating students and officials.