Government pulls authorization for American Northwest University, Belizean medical students affected

Just today, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Technology issued a formal press release confirming that American Northwest University School of Medicine is no longer authorized to operate in Belize, following the expiration of its charter in June 2024, which was not renewed due to the institution’s failure to meet required terms and conditions.  The Ministry further acknowledged that approximately 25 Belizean students have been affected and says it has begun direct engagement with them. Discussions are reportedly underway with the University of Belize to facilitate possible transfers and ensure continuity of medical education, while the government considers limited financial support where necessary.  Back in November 2021, an estimated thirty Belizeans were awarded medical scholarships during a ceremony held in Belmopan. The scholarships were the result of a collaboration between the Belmopan City Council and American Northwest University School of Medicine (ANU), which at the time operated in Belize and reportedly maintained an office in Chicago, Illinois.  Then-Mayor Sharon Palacio publicly welcomed the initiative, stating that the Belmopan City Council was already exploring additional scholarship opportunities under various programs, positioning the collaboration as a pathway for Belizeans to access medical education.

Sheran Palacio, Mayor of Belmopan: “It’s a medical school right here in Belmopan and we worked hard in advocating that these young people be awarded scholarships. So we have about 10 with full scholarships and we have about 20 plus who will be receiving 90% funding and myself as the mayor I’m committed to this process because I I believe in education and as the vote of town’s councilor Amadi said a while ago it is something that can never be taken away from you. And I personally see it as a need, especially when it comes to medicine, because these are people that we need in our societies. And can you imagine some of them go on to become specialist surgeons and so on and so forth? So, termed the day a historic blessing for the Belmopan City Council.”

Reporter: How did this these names come about in selecting those blessed students ?

Sheran Palacio, Mayor of Belmopan:  “They all applied. We, at City Hall, we took over the entire management of the school. And I have a very competent city administrator who quickly jumped on board with me and we sent out the information, we advertised, and we had all these young people applying and they had no knowledge that it was gonna be funded to this extent.”

Reporter: Mayor, will other scholarship be given in maybe different areas?
Sheran Palacio, Mayor of Belmopan: “Definitely, there will be expansion. I wouldn’t be able to speak about it right now. I believe in taking one step at a time and I will call you all whenever we, as we move on, I consider the media our partners and you are an integral part of this process. This is for all of us. Plus TV, love FM, we’re grateful.”

Love News has been investigating multiple complaints from students who say they paid thousands of dollars in tuition to ANU but were later not allowed to withdraw from the program and not issued refunds, despite seeking to discontinue their studies.