WILLEMSTAD, PENSACOLA - The Ministry of Education has announced a significant development in its collaboration with the Study Financing Foundation (SSC) to enhance opportunities for local students pursuing their professional careers in the United States. Minister Sithree van Heydoorn, representing the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports (ESKD), has successfully signed an agreement with the University of West Florida (UWF).
During the Ministry's mission trip to Florida, their primary objective is to establish more affordable study financing options for Curaçao students, ensuring that they are not burdened with excessive debts upon completing their education.
The core goals of this mission include negotiating reasonable study financing terms and creating opportunities for students to study in closer proximity to their homes, thereby mitigating potential cultural shocks. Additionally, by studying in the region, students have a greater likelihood of returning to Curaçao after graduation, actively contributing to the island's development and economy.
On Monday, June 5, Minister van Heydoorn formally sealed the agreement with the University of West Florida in Pensacola, Florida. Under this agreement, incoming students for the 2023/2024 academic year will be eligible for "Instate Tuition," allowing them to pay the same fees as American students for their studies.
Key representatives from UWF, including Dr. Martha Saunders, President, and Dr. Gregory Tomso, Vice President of Student Affairs, were present at the signing ceremony. Minister van Heydoorn also engaged in a fruitful discussion with Ms. Rachel Hendrix, Director of the department responsible for international affairs at UWF. Following the ceremony, a young Curaçaoan student led the delegation on an informative tour of UWF's various facilities and buildings.