Fifty-seven ambitious young Belizean students have turned their academic aspirations into tangible progress this week, after being selected as the latest recipients of one of the Central American nation’s longest-running private-sector education support programs. Now in its 35th iteration, Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL), operating under its consumer brand Digi, has marked a historic milestone for its flagship scholarship initiative by opening eligibility to junior college students for the first time ever.
Of the 57 awardees, 40 are incoming high school students, while 17 will begin their junior college studies in the upcoming academic term. Unlike many basic tuition-only scholarships, the program provides holistic, ongoing support that covers full tuition fees, course textbooks, required school supplies, and home internet connectivity to remove access barriers for learning. Recipients also receive dedicated mentorship throughout their entire course of study to help them navigate academic and personal challenges.
At the official award ceremony held July 3, 2026, BTL Chief Executive Officer Ivan Tesucum emphasized that the scholarship program is far more than a one-off corporate donation—rather, it is a decades-long strategic investment in Belize’s future workforce and national growth. “Today each and every one of us sees the future of Belize in this room,” Tesucum told attendees. “We’re looking at students who have worked hard, who stayed focused, who kept trying, and who have earned this moment.”
Tesucum explained that Digi allocates more than $300,000 each year to fund the scholarship program, rooted in the company’s core belief that education is one of the most powerful catalysts for equitable national development. This year’s cohort carries the theme “Go Further,” a motto that Tesucum framed as a call for persistence rather than a promise of easy success. “It does not mean you will never face challenges; it means that when school gets difficult, you keep going,” he said. “It means that every day, little by little, you choose discipline over distraction, consistency over convenience or comfort, effort over excuses, and purpose over fear.”
The expansion of the program to include junior level post-secondary students reflects growing recognition of the gap between secondary school completion and entry into the workforce or higher education in Belize, and the private sector’s ongoing commitment to filling that gap to support long-term national progress. For the 57 award recipients, the scholarship removes many of the financial and logistical barriers that have derailed many promising students’ academic journeys, opening a clear path for them to advance their education and contribute to Belize’s future.