USpace Hub Strengthens Computer Competency in Dangriga

The USpace Hub has officially arrived in Dangriga! This exciting initiative from the Ministry of Education aims to boost computer skills and innovation. Now, Dangriga residents, especially youths, can dive into learning coding and robotics at the brand-new Ignacia Cacho Library. News Five’s Britney Gordon has all the details.

 

Britney Gordon, Reporting

No matter your age, everyone can learn something new. Now, students and residents of Dangriga have the chance to dive into exciting educational and technological opportunities at the USpace Hub in the Ignacia Cacho Library. Area Representative Louis Zabaneh shared more about this innovative space with us.

 

Dr. Louis Zabaneh, Area Representative, Dangriga

“The Ministry of Education, Culture, Science, and Technology have been across the country, Corozal Orange Walk and now Dangriga opening up these USpaces that are very exciting with the times. So that we could provide our young people with a very special environment for which they can use technology and certainly also perhaps after school or on weekends be able to access information that they might not otherwise be able to do.  So this investment from the ministry along with our partners at UNICEF is significant for our people across the country.”

 

Built in partnership with UNICEF, this space offers a wealth of resources for all ages. Visitors can access digital devices and develop skills in areas like robotics and coding. UNICEF Education Officer Natasha Mantock shared that these hubs are designed to spark creativity and innovation.

 

Natasha Mantock, Education Officer, UNICEF

“Today, we gather to celebrate a milestone in our digital transformation agenda under the Team Connection to underscore the critical need for safe, child-friendly spaces where accesses to services and resources are needing. What fitting place but the Ignacio Library, where children of Dangriga will be  safe to explore in our USpace. It is pivotal in leveraging technology to transform and accelerate learning and skill development, represents a paradigm shift of how we can merge our traditional methods with our technology for children to be safe and learn.”

 

Zabaneh emphasized how crucial it is to provide access to these resources, noting that many Belizeans can’t afford to pursue these skills through higher education.

 

Dr. Louis Zabaneh

“Dangriga  is very grateful. Dangriga, Sarawee, and Hope Creek, we’re grateful for this investment because we know that there are many of our families who cannot afford to purchase this kind of technology. And now we have within the Ignacio Cacho library under the Belize National Library Service a space for them to be able to do some exciting work and fit into the fourth industrial revolution, which is all about science, technology, and innovation.”

 

This USpace is the fourth to be launched in Belize and the government intends to roll them out countrywide.

 

Dr. Louis Zabaneh

“With increased investment in more safe spaces across this country, we will continue to equip children with necessary skills, and for them to have a deeper appreciation and understanding of the power of education, culture, technology, and science.  To empower every child with the tools and knowledge needed for them to strive in this new, rapidly evolving world. We are especially pleased to see the youth space really, really inviting our girls, UNICEF prioritizes  adolescent girls and continue to support.  Closing this digital divide requires global cooperation, leadership, innovation in finance and technology. Belize has taken this bold step. Belize has taken this bold step.”

 

USpace aims to offer training beyond the traditional classroom, giving residents the chance to learn skills they might not otherwise have access to.

 

Dr. Louis Zabaneh

“It’s all about exposure, right? So if we are saying that we’re taking an audacious view with respect to science, technology, and innovation, we don’t want just to be consumers, but producers going forward. Then that means that our people, especially our young people need to be able to, to adopt that culture from a very young age a culture where they become very, very comfortable with technology and in particular with the process of science and innovation.”

Britney Gordon for News Five.