U.S., Belizean students work together during Duke TIP program
Contact: Leslie Maxwell
Duke University Talent Identification Program
(919) 668-9127
leslie.maxwell@duke.edu
Duke TIP partners with Petters Institute to promote emerging economy
Updated: July 20, 2009
DANGRIGA, BELIZE — For the first time, academically gifted students from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Belize are coming together for study and service in a new partnership between the Duke University Talent Identification Program (TIP) and Belize’s Petters Research Institute (PRI). Fifteen students began their intensive coursework in Business Leadership on July 10; the program will run until July 23.
Within the context of globalization, students are studying leadership styles, models and skill building, and they are gaining an understanding of their own personality and strengths as a business leader in today's increasingly global world. Students, in teams comprised of both academically gifted Belizean and Duke TIP students, are researching and analyzing one of three emerging Belizean market areas: Ecotourism, Energy-Oil, and Technology, for which they will create a final project. The projects will be presented in a symposium at the culmination of the program.
The students are a culturally diverse and gifted group and many have talents in areas beyond business – in the humanities, arts and sciences – which creates a multi-faceted experience for the students and staff alike. All students underwent a rigorous application process to join the program, and the four Belizean students were part of a nationwide search among Belize’s best and brightest.
By introducing Duke TIP's U.S. and U.K. students to gifted Belizean students, the Duke TIP students will broaden their perspective on the world and increase their international understanding of the lives, thoughts and challenges facing students from a nation with an emerging economy. They will gain a hands-on appreciation of how all people are tied together as stewards of each other’s well being.
This culturally blended and service-oriented program will enable Belizean students to set their course towards business leadership roles in the nation, attaining higher education and bringing their entrepreneurial innovation, knowledge and skills to provide 21st-century leadership, developing Belize's human and natural resources to compete in a global economy.
Students have begun their trip by engaging in various service projects, including donating computers to both the Mayor of Dangriga Office and educational institutions such as the Adult Learning Center. In addition, students participated in a beach clean up. Students will continue to give back to the community throughout their time in Belize, discovering not only business practices, but also incorporating social responsibility and service learning.
A total of 30 computers will be donated in Belize through Duke University and the Petters Research Institute in collaboration with the Belize Defense Force. It is expected that this two-week gifted-students program alone will inject about $94,000 (BZE) in value into the economy.
The Petters Research Institute is a non-profit organization founded by Belizean-born Dr. Arlie Petters, professor of Mathematics, Physics and Business Administration at Duke University. Additionally, Duke TIP is collaborating with the Duke University Fuqua School of Business. The lead instructor, Ken Tomei, is a recent Master of Business Administration graduate of the Fuqua School of Business and has worked closely with the Fuqua/Coach K Center on Leadership and Ethics (C.O.L.E.). Other faculty members are Professor Elizabeth Fogle; Pastor Caleb Nicholas, who is Managing Director of Youth Programs at PRI; and graduate student Susan Fant. Distinguished Belizean guest speakers for the program are Chena Galvez, Eccleston Irving, Jan Meerman, Aurora Saqui, Ernesto Saqui, Marie Sharp, Dan Silva, Dr. Louis Zabaneh and Maria Zabaneh.
The Petters Research Institute, Duke TIP, and Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business are committed to the development of Belizean citizens through capacity-building programs such as this one and hope to see the positive effects of the program in the future.
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About Duke TIP: The Duke University Talent Identification Program (Duke TIP) is a non-profit educational organization that is recognized as a leader in identifying and serving the educational needs of academically gifted youth. Through identification, recognition, challenging educational programs, information, advocacy and research, Duke TIP provides resources to gifted students, their parents, educators, and schools for the development of the students’ optimal educational potential.
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