U.B. Working on Resolving Student Portal Registration Issues

Schools are reopening across the country, and the students at the University of Belize have voiced their frustrations over the difficulties they have experienced in trying to register for classes. The students claim that the portal is not allowing students to sign up for their desired classes, but the window designated for registration is steadily closing. President of U.B., Doctor Vincent Palacio, says that the issue lies with the software used for the service, and that assures students that the university is in dialogue with the suppliers to resolve it.

 

Dr. Vincent Palacio, President, U.B.

“That was not sent to me, as the president of the university. We are doing all that we could to make sure this problem does not happen again. There’s a task force working as we speak. There’s a meeting, there was a meeting on with the supplier of the software that we use this afternoon. So we’re working diligently to make sure that we have the adequate system for our students. I’m aware of the concerns. I have two sons who go here as well. The frustration is real. So we are doing our best to address it.”

 

Reporter

“How is it that it’s just being addressed? I went to school ten years ago and I still had the same problems from then.”

 

Dr. Vincent Palacio

“I can’t speak to that.  We’re trying our best. I’m the president today. We’re trying our best to make sure it works.”

 

Reporter

“It does speak though to the IT section of the school. You’re teaching IT but at the same, on the other hand you can’t figure out your issues with the IT. It’s not an IT issue.”

 

Dr. Vincent Palacio

“It’s a software that we buy from outside. It’s called Xenegrade. And they’re the ones who host the the process. They’re the ones who does everything for the process. So our IT just supports us around here. The bandwidth issue is one of the supplier of which if you notice for the bachelor’s degree registration. It was seamless. They did something that worked. So in the future we have to make sure we get do what works at registration time.”

 

Reporter

“But in the meantime, students feel like they’re being held hostage because they’re having to pay for extra semesters to take these classes that they couldn’t get into.”

 

Dr. Vincent Palacio

“I am not aware of that. Our registrar works night and day to get students in classes. If the classes are full, we’re adding additional sections. If these students need to get in classes, have them reach out to the registrar for assistance.”