Randall Sheppard Official Interview Feature
The Kenrick Mark Coleman Foundation
‘Intellect, Discipline, Wisdom, Excellence’
Kenrick – A Conversation with Kenrick Mark Coleman Features Randall Sheppard
1. Tell us a little about yourself.
I am Randall Sheppard, an Attorney-at-Law, practicing my legal specialty and passion, legislative drafting. From an early age, I have been regarded as an all-around student, with a propensity for the arts. I have whole heartedly maintained an avid interest in music, and I am a member of the Pantempters Steel Orchestra.
Throughout my student life, I excelled as a student, athlete and young leader. It was during my studies at St John’s College Junior College I realized my firm interest in practicing law and decided to pursue a second Associate’s degree in paralegal studies. This enabled me to attend the University of the West Indies in the Caribbean where I successfully completed my Bachelors of Law degree. Thereafter, I went on to my practical training at the Norman Manley Law School in Jamaica. While at Norman Manley, I had the honor of representing the Law School at a regional mooting competition in the Bahamas and an international mooting competition in Ireland. I completed my legal training at Norman Manley Law School in June of 2013, with Principal’s Honours. Thereafter, I pursued postgraduate studies, completing a Master of Law in Legislative Drafting in May of 2016.
2. You pursued another Master’s Degree in the United Kingdom of Great Britain over the past year. What do you believe is important in this your role?
I pursued a Master’s Degree in Public Policy at Swansea University in the United Kingdom. As a Legislative Drafter, my primary role is to convert policy into law. It is my responsibility to ensure that legislative drafts reflect the government’s policy, aims and intentions and that it does not contain ambiguities or lend itself to different interpretations by the intended audience. Therefore, for me to be an effective legislative drafter I believe it is imperative that I am able to understand and contribute to development of policy prior to the drafting of legislation.
3. Tell us more about your academic life at this University? How did you receive the scholarship? Why did you choose this particular University? When did you commence studies? What subject areas are focused on? What’s your relationship like with fellow students?
A key factor in gaining a Chevening Scholarship is to be able to demonstrate that you are a young leader and influencer. For me, a leader is someone that serves others, actively listens and daily empowers, and these are traits I believe I exemplify daily in the various capacities I serve in.
I began my studies at Swansea University in September of 2022. I decided on this University based on the modules being offered in the program, which I believed would complement my current field of work, particularly Humanitarian Law. Additionally, the University was very responsive to queries even prior to me confirming my acceptance, which helped to settle any concerns I had about student life and living abroad.
As one of the most diverse countries in the world, studying in the UK has exposed me, through my fellow students, to a variety of experiences and opinions. This diversity provides rich discourse and interactions in class which has only broaden my knowledge and perspectives. Over the year spent in the UK, I was able to develop an excellent rapport with my classmates and knew that at the end of my studies I would be leaving the UK with friends from all over the world.
4. Describe your transformation process from Belize to Great Britain?. Can you describe classic culture and cuisines you experienced so far?
Adjusting to Great Britain was not difficult, with the exception of adjusting to the weather and the time difference with Belize, which made sleeping for the first couple of months a bit difficult. Classic cuisines I explored included fish and chips and Sunday roast which is a big part of the family life in the UK. In August 2023, I was able to attend the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, which is one of the greatest celebrations of arts and culture that took place in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland.
5. What are the challenges you faced as a student at university? Opportunities?
I believe the greatest opportunity as a university student was the ability to network. As a Chevener, I was able to make connections with numerous scholars through the various events which Chevening hosted throughout the year. I recall attending a tree planting event in Cardiff on an extremely cold and rainy day. Despite the dreadful weather, we all worked with enthusiasm. I have maintained communication with the Cheveners from that event, sharing our experiences and even job opportunities which are arising in our various jurisdictions. I also had the opportunity to enroll in an online internship in Public Policy and Charity offered by Bright. This experience afforded me the ability to meet students from other Universities as well as professionals who all share a passion for the field I am pursuing.
For me, the most challenging aspect was adjusting to the teaching methods as well as adjusting to a new field of study. In the Public Policy course, I had to do two modules that were foundations for my dissertation. One of the modules focused on statistics and quantitative and qualitative research, which are areas that are a far cry from law. Nevertheless, this difficulty acted as an impetus for me to work even hard to understand the concepts, which paid off in the end as I was able to attain the Highest Overall Dissertation from my cohort.
6. Why is your major important to Belize’s National Progressive Development?
Law is something that evolves regularly, with new laws or amendment laws being brought into force daily to regulate activities. As Belize cements its place in the global world, we must ensure that our laws continue to confirm with the order of the day. A key example is our constant revamping of laws to ensure compliance with recommendations from the Financial Action Task Force. These changing laws requires a legislative drafter, and a policy developer to ensure that Belize is able to meet the demands for regulations.
7. What are three important lessons you learnt? Describe three experiences in Belize, work or extra curricular, which helped you to integrate British lifestyle?
Three important lessons I learnt are 1) to always embrace every journey, despite any challenge, 2) to never let fear hinder me from pursuing new opportunities or activities and 3) to help pave the way for others.
Some of the experiences I have had at work, participating in steel pan and even from home, all helped me to integrate into the British lifestyle. These experiences gave me skills that made it easier for me to adjust to living in the UK and attend university. These skills include being disciplined and outgoing. I was devoted to my studies, but also balanced my student life with exploring and learning about the UK. Throughout my year there, I ensured that I visited all the countries in the United Kingdom and explored numerous museums and castles as I immersed myself in the culture.
8. What can your community and country expect from you in the next five years? What is your definition of discipline and excellence? What is your perspective on discrimination in Belize?
My plan for the next five years is to assist in the further development of my country through legislative reform. Where I sit as the Assistant Solicitor General for Legislative Drafting, I have the opportunity to lend my knowledge and expertise for the further development of our laws. One of the gaps I have noticed in my tenure in the public sector is the lack of Law Reform. This has resulted in our laws not being regularly assessed to determine their current suitability. The implementation of a Law Reform Department is one of the initiatives I believe would definitely aid to improve and modernize the laws of Belize.
For me, excellence and discipline go hand in hand. To excel in something, it takes being disciplined. Discipline is the road that is travelled to excellence. Discipline means setting your goals and formulating a plan to achieve those goals. It builds the foundation for success. Discipline is really the difference between being good and excelling.
The Constitution of Belize provides a general framework to protect the human rights of Belizeans, however I believe that to fully protect citizens from discrimination there is the need for other pieces of legislation to complement the Constitution, and ensure that persons are afforded easier methods for redress once discriminated against.
9. Why should young, vibrant outstanding individuals across the world apply for the prestigious Chevening scholarship? Tell us more about this programme?
There are many benefits of the very prestigious Chevening Scholarship. It provides access to quality education in the UK which is fully funded and the opportunity to explore the diverse cultures in the UK. The Chevening Scholarship enables young leaders from around the world to pursue a one year Master’s degree at a University of their choice. This scholarship covers flights, accommodation and university tuition. The application process takes about a year, but once chosen to be a Chevener, you get to develop yourself academically and professionally and equip yourself with knowledge that can be used to develop your own country.
10. What three words do you have to say to young Belizeans?
Listen Wisely, Be Confident, Be Consistent!
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