On Monday, the monumental Maria Convent building was officially opened. Many guests attended the opening, where they received more information about the program.
Geoffrey Wever, Minister of Economic Affairs, indicated that the Maria Convent is part of the SISSTEM project funded by the European Union. It began in 2016, and various projects followed, culminating in Monday’s inauguration.
Maria Convent is a faculty of science, engineering, technology, and mathematics for the University of Aruba. The minister expressed that this was a beautiful moment for Aruba, seeing how splendid the faculty turned out. The offices and classrooms are where students will receive lessons. This Friday, the first students will graduate with their PhDs.
This aligns with the government’s vision to put Aruba on the map as an educational center and part of economic diversification. One of the promising sectors is the ‘knowledge economy,’ providing young people with the facility to study in Aruba. The idea is also to attract international students to study in this facility, live in the center of Oranjestad, and create a different atmosphere.
Wever believes Aruba has gained from this project and its culmination. This development is positive and wonderful. The project was accomplished with funding from the European Union, which allocated thirteen million euros for the curriculum. According to the minister, this involves preparing the academics as well as the facilities. It is a combination—not just the building infrastructure but a building with content. There is an academic program that will help Aruba become a leader in sustainability in the Caribbean.
Sue-Ann Lee, rector of the University of Aruba, explained that Maria Convent is part of the university’s facilities. This project, funded by the European Union, included renovating the building. At the same time, it financed the SISSTEM program in conjunction with the Catholic University of Leuven. The ‘Sustainable Island Solutions through Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics’ (SISSTEM) program will occupy a large part of the building. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), together with the Economic Affairs, guided the entire project.
