The Institute for Social and Cultural Research/ NICH organized its first Research Competition on the topic: Finding Solutions to Crime in Belize. It was organized as part of its mandate to educate and engage the Belizean public on matters related to Belizean culture, historical growth and socio-political development.
Many Belizeans have noted in recent months an apparent surge in crime. An exercise such as this was
devised so as to elicit a response from the youth demographic. With this in mind, the ISCR organized
in the form of a research competition, the medium for students at the tertiary level to develop and demonstrate research skills for the purpose of evaluating a social issue affecting Belize, in this case, crime - as well as the opportunity to deliver and discuss their findings.
The competition was open to all tertiary level institutions. Four students from three tertiary level institutions were ultimately chosen. Earth Lopez and Irice Reyes from Stann Creek Ecumenical Junior College as well as James Ruiz from St. John’s College Junior College and Elizabeth Parahsingh from Corozal Junior College. Six judges were invited - all of whom are involved in the research and sociological field:Mr. Andrew Lopez and Mr. Cesar Ross (both lecturers at the University of Belize), Ms. Nicole Haylock (Executive Director – SPEAR), Mr. Gustavo Perrera (Director of SUMMA) Ms. Nelma Mortis (Education Officer, Ministry of Education) and Dr. John Morris (Associate Director of Research).
Evaluation was based on both the submission of a research proposal and the delivery of the paper.
Each student was given the opportunity to present their papers in front of an audience including a panel of judges, NICH personnel, government sponsors, as well as teachers, students and the public. Their proposals were scrutinized for validity and logical sequence. After the marks were counted the ultimate winner of this year’s Research Competition on the topic of Crime was Irice Reyes from Stann Creek Ecumenical Junior College. As the first place winner she took home a laptop and printer and earned her school a total of $500.00. Earth Lopez and James Ruiz placed second and third respectively and received monetary prizes. All participants received a certificate of participation as well as the distinction of having been involved in an exercise that will address what for many Belizeans has become a very real and serious issue.
Congratulations to all participants!
A summary of the findings may be requested for your purposes
Many Belizeans have noted in recent months an apparent surge in crime. An exercise such as this was
devised so as to elicit a response from the youth demographic. With this in mind, the ISCR organized
in the form of a research competition, the medium for students at the tertiary level to develop and demonstrate research skills for the purpose of evaluating a social issue affecting Belize, in this case, crime - as well as the opportunity to deliver and discuss their findings.
The competition was open to all tertiary level institutions. Four students from three tertiary level institutions were ultimately chosen. Earth Lopez and Irice Reyes from Stann Creek Ecumenical Junior College as well as James Ruiz from St. John’s College Junior College and Elizabeth Parahsingh from Corozal Junior College. Six judges were invited - all of whom are involved in the research and sociological field:Mr. Andrew Lopez and Mr. Cesar Ross (both lecturers at the University of Belize), Ms. Nicole Haylock (Executive Director – SPEAR), Mr. Gustavo Perrera (Director of SUMMA) Ms. Nelma Mortis (Education Officer, Ministry of Education) and Dr. John Morris (Associate Director of Research).
Evaluation was based on both the submission of a research proposal and the delivery of the paper.
Each student was given the opportunity to present their papers in front of an audience including a panel of judges, NICH personnel, government sponsors, as well as teachers, students and the public. Their proposals were scrutinized for validity and logical sequence. After the marks were counted the ultimate winner of this year’s Research Competition on the topic of Crime was Irice Reyes from Stann Creek Ecumenical Junior College. As the first place winner she took home a laptop and printer and earned her school a total of $500.00. Earth Lopez and James Ruiz placed second and third respectively and received monetary prizes. All participants received a certificate of participation as well as the distinction of having been involved in an exercise that will address what for many Belizeans has become a very real and serious issue.
Congratulations to all participants!
A summary of the findings may be requested for your purposes
