Robbert Dijkgraaf, Minister of Education, Culture and Science, will be in Aruba and
Curaçao from April 8 to 12 to lead a knowledge mission. Together with educational
institutions, Dijkgraaf wants to strengthen cooperation in the field of education and
research between the Netherlands, the countries in the Kingdom and the Caribbean
Netherlands. Greater awareness of the impact of the history of slavery is also central.
Dijkgraaf: “I look forward to deepening and expanding cooperation in the fields of education
and science. Intensive cooperation with the Caribbean part of the Kingdom, with which we
have deep, historical ties, is essential. Fortunately, there is a lot of momentum in our
relationship in the field of education. We have been able to make good progress in recent
years, with great initiatives such as the Kingdom Fair. It is now important to perpetuate that.
It is important to also pay attention to the history of slavery. This has an effect on society as
a whole. The commemoration year creates more awareness of this.”
Better connections to the labor market
The knowledge mission consists of administrators from ten vocational institutions, colleges
and universities and representatives from NWO, KNAW and De Jonge Akademie. Dijkgraaf
first visits Aruba with them. The focus here is on connecting education to the labor market:
the current situation, but especially how the educational offering can better meet the needs
of the labor market.
In Aruba, experts are also discussing lifelong learning and further training. Which forms of
education could you use for this? All sectors in the range (MBO, HBO, WO) are involved in
this.
Finally, student mobility is discussed: students who used the new Kingdom grants in the first
round share their experiences. From the coming academic year, around 120 students per
year can go on an exchange or internship within the Kingdom with this grant, intended to
increase the short-term exchange of students. This academic year, a total of around 25
students are already using it.
Effect of slavery past
The history of slavery still leaves its mark when it comes to education and research. Many
Caribbean students are lagging behind, something that becomes apparent in the difficult
transition to study in the Netherlands. Led by the Caribbean universities, a theme session
will focus on the impact of the slavery past. The aim is to ensure more understanding and
knowledge about the history of slavery.
Declaration of intent on cooperation between institutions
In Curaçao, educational institutions from the Netherlands and the islands are working on a
declaration of intent. Together they want to explore what collaborations are possible within
the Kingdom. This exploration should lead to further agreements.
It is not just about education, research and science are also on the agenda in Curaçao.
KNAW, NWO, De Jonge Akademie and researchers from the Caribbean part of the Kingdom
are collecting input for a knowledge agenda in order to promote research opportunities on
current social themes on the Caribbean islands.
There is discussion about intensifying research cooperation with the Caribbean part of the
Kingdom, and possible financing for this. During the session, attention will be paid to the
barriers that postdocs, master's students and PhD students experience, for example in
access to research financing.
NWO is currently working on the possibility of short-term, curiosity-driven projects. The
experiences of young Caribbean researchers are also discussed. They help think about how
they can be better supported. NWO will develop financing options for PhD research for this
group of young researchers within the 'Caribbean Research' programme.
Increase study success
The knowledge mission will be concluded at the SEA (Strategic Education Alliance) working
conference. This platform of the four countries of the Kingdom aims to increase the study
success and equality of opportunity of Caribbean students. During the conference, students
from the Caribbean will speak and discuss, among other things, how secondary education
on the islands can better connect with further education.
The knowledge mission to the Caribbean is the third after previous missions to Indonesia
and South Africa. These visits have strengthened bilateral cooperation with the countries
concerned and between educational and knowledge institutions.