PHILIPSBURG--University of St. Martin (USM) President Antonio Carmona Báez said on Friday that to move forward, St. Maarten must build a solid and centralised system of higher education and scientific research.
“Financing foundations, signing MOUs and providing trainings will not lead to sustainable recovery, nor will it advance the socio-economic and environmental conditions needed by the community to build a healthy society. It is not possible for a country to develop sustainably without a state-financed university,” stated Báez.
He attended the annual board meeting of St. Maarten Hospitality and Trade Association (SHTA) on Monday, May 28, where he was invited to sit as an honorary member in a working committee. Present at the annual meeting were Prime Minister Leona Marlin-Romeo, and Ministry of Interior Affairs and Kingdom Relations Director-General for Recovery of the Windward Islands Hans Leijtens.
“We heard about how much money the World Bank and the Dutch Kingdom plan to invest in St. Maarten, and it seems like the business community is ready. However, we need to start thinking about USM as a key stakeholder in the island’s long-term development. A strong economy needs a strong, healthy and educated population,” Báez added.
Still recovering from the effects of Hurricane Irma in September 2017 and the swift change of government shortly thereafter, USM is now in a process of reconstituting itself, while the administration has been asked to comment on the draft law on tertiary and higher education.
The student population has been reduced to half, and faculty members with graduate and doctoral degrees, all working part time, believe they are underpaid. USM administrators are reportedly committed to changing this scenario, according to Báez.
In meetings with officials and ministries, Báez continued to insist that the government of St. Maarten should consider structural and constant funding of the university, something that will occupy a significant percentage of the national budget.
“We are asking for a guaranteed minimum percentage of the national budget on top of what the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport Affairs already receives. This is not a lot of money if we want a centre that will provide the country with home-grown scientists, engineers, teachers, social workers, psychologists and other professionals needed to build a robust St. Maarten,” said Báez.
USM’s Dean of Academic Affairs Dr. Rolinda Carter expressed her desire to see USM as a permanent institution that can house research and innovation using highly qualified local scientists and engineers.
“There are many St. Maarteners, locally and internationally, who are trained in areas that could further benefit our country; however, the necessary institutions are needed. With the continued support of government and other stakeholders, we are confident that USM will be established into a university that provides prominent research findings and technical assistance to our country.” Carter stated.
The United Nations Economic Commission on Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) is scheduled to visit St. Maarten next week to assist the country in the implementation of an institutional framework for mainstreaming sustainable development goals (SDGs).
USM’s administration hopes that ECLAC will endorse hosting related knowledge at the country’s main public institution of higher education and research. Carter plans to meet with the ECLAC delegation next week Tuesday.
Báez will be spending the next couple of weeks in the Netherlands to meet with Kingdom officials and administrators of the various universities of applied sciences.
“My task is to convince Dutch Kingdom authorities that continued investment in our university is critical. We also want to concretise international collaboration and guarantee accreditation for our programmes, but that is not possible without enhanced support from the government of St. Maarten,” he concluded.
