A delegation of officials from the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Transport attended a five-day technical and knowledge transfer visit to South Korea, from November 21 to 25, 2022.
Knowledge transfer is a key component of capacity building for the Public Transportation Reform Project funded by the Inter-American Development Bank. The delegation participated in lectures and field visits tailored to aid Belize’s public transportation development by adopting applicable solutions from South Korea’s advancement blueprint on the land transportation sector.
The lecture series included an overview of the transportation modes in South Korea, transport policies, data collection, the use of technology in transportation and transportation trends. The participants were introduced to green mobility for electric and hydrogen vehicles through presentations by top South Korean experts and professionals. The team was able to experience various forms of transportation modes in South Korea, including the metro, bus, ride-share and autonomous vehicles. The lectures also focused on the importance of urban planning and technological breakthroughs for future transportation plans that are being adopted globally.
Two Belizean students currently enrolled at the Korea Development Institute Graduate School of International Policy Studies participated in some of the sessions to provide feedback and recommendations as a part of the strategic action plan prepared for the modernization of public land transportation in Belize.
Hon. Rodwell Ferguson, Minister of Youth, Sports and Transport, signed a memorandum of understanding with the Korea Transport Institute, which includes a scholarship for a master’s degree or doctorate in the transport or information technology field. Minister Ferguson, Hon. Gilroy Usher, Minister of State; and Marconi Leal, Jr., CEO in the ministry, met with officials from South Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transportation to discuss opportunities for collaboration, including Belize being added to the group of about 30 countries that has the opportunity to send qualified candidates for a two-year master’s program in a sports-related field from the Olympic sports foundation. Additionally, conversations will continue on the possibility of funding to renovate one of Belize’s sports facilities damaged by Hurricane Lisa.
The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Transport is committed to incorporating recommendations from the knowledge transfer sessions, especially as it relates to the focus on the users of public transportation, increased stakeholder engagement, and the utilization of technology in Belize.
The delegation included Dian Vasquez, Chief Transport Officer; Peter Williams, Deputy Transfer Officer; Jermie Usher, Minister’s Aide; Shanoy Gentle, Transport Planner; Eric Sanchez, Project Lead and Transport Planner; and Trudy Joseph, Administrative and Procurement Assistant.
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