Dialuna ultimo Minister di Finansa y Cultura tabata presente na apertura di Maria Convent.
Den e monumento Maria Convent lo hospeda e facultad di ‘Sustainable Island Solutions through
Science, Technology and Mathematics’ (SISSTEM) di Universidad di Aruba. Esaki ta e di dos fase di
e proyecto di SISSTEM cu ta wordo financia cu fondonan di Union Europeo hunto cu e yudansa di
United Nations Development Program (UNDP). Esaki ta parti di un trabao cu Minister Maduro
desde februari 2019, como Minister di Finansa, Asuntonan Economico y Cultura, e tempo ey, a haci
biahe pa por a reuni cu OCTA di Union Europeo na Tahiti, pa asina por a sigura cu Aruba por a
haya e fondonan necesario di Union Europeo pa por institui un facultad di SISSTEM na
Universidad di Aruba, y hunto cun'e a sigura cu e monumento Maria Convent por wordo restaura pa
hospeda e facultad nobo aki. Awo e monumento ta cla y restaura den su gloria, esaki lo por sigui
conta su historia y alabes yuda forma studiante cu e conocemento pa logra un desaroyo sostenibel di
Aruba y pa mundo.
Na e ocasion di apertura di Maria Convent, Minister Maduro a hiba palabra. Siguientemente e
discurso di e mandatario.
“It is a source of great pride and honor to stand before you today as the Minister of Finance &
Culture of Aruba and reflecting on past events feels like just yesterday, as vivid as if they happened
in this very moment. I recall the Overseas Countries and Territories European Union (OCT-EU)
Forum and Overseas Countries and Territories Association (OCTA) Ministerial Conference in
Tahiti, French Polynesia, where I attended in February 2019 as the Territorial Authorizing Officer
(TAO) of Aruba and back then as the Minister of Finance, Economic Affairs, and Culture. I
travelled half the world to get there, and as a 'carnavalista' missing Carnival, to make sure Aruba
could get the necesary funding for this important proyect. It was there that I signed an agreement
for Aruba to receive 13.6 million Euros from the European Union (EU). This significant funding
was reserved for the establishment of a Sustainable Island Solutions through Science, Technology,
Engineering and Mathematics (SISSTEM) Faculty of University of Aruba, a project of immense
importance and promise for our island. Since the SISSTEM Faculty will teach about being eco-
friendly and resilient in small islands states. It will also help achieve many goals for sustainable
development (SDG’s) in Aruba and present Aruba as an example for the other Caribbean islands.
Part of this financial support was directed towards the renovation of the Maria Convent building,
the installation of laboratories and the equipping of the classrooms. Additionally, another part of the
contribution was allocated to the Katholieke Universiteit in Leuven, Belgium, which together with
the University of Aruba will implement the STEM bachelor program in Science, Technology,
Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), a master and PhD research program that focuses on
sustainable development of small island developing states (SIDS) and the establishment of a
research institute. The contribution of 13.6 million Euro is a worthy cause made possible through
the 11th European Development Fund, for which Aruba is incredibly grateful.
One month later, at the end of March 2019, in the presence of Ambassador Jernej Videtic
representing the EU Delegation in Guyana, and myself representing the Government of Aruba, we
signed the Financing Agreement between the European Union and Aruba.
The SISSTEM program was successfully introduced in 2022 at the University of Aruba. However,
the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily halted our progress until February 2023, when
the restoration of the Maria Convent building resumed. During the commencement of this
restoration, I had the honor of addressing the gathering, underscoring the historical significance of
the Maria Convent building, declared a Monument in 2010. I emphasized the particular care required
in its rehabilitation, entrusted to the expertise of our Monument Bureau. The renovation work is
being managed by United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in close cooperation with the
Monumenten Bureau to ensure that the historical heritage aspects of the building are preserved.
The Maria Convent building was constructed in 1920 to serve as a convent for the Dominican
sisters of Voorschoten. The Chapel was added in 1946. Following the closure of the convent in
1980, the building was transferred to the government of Aruba during the 1980s. Renovation work
began in 1995, and by 1996, the Department of Culture and Foreign Affairs had relocated to these
premises. Currently, we are entering the next phase of this significant monument, which will support
sustainable development through the education of students in an innovative faculty.
Our commitment to preserving our cultural heritage extends beyond the Maria Convent. With
twenty-six protected buildings in Oranjestad alone, it is imperative that we safeguard these
monuments, for they serve as tangible links to our past, representing our island rich history and
culture.
The approval of the project in July 2019 and the signing of the long-term lease agreement in March
2020 are significant milestones. The restoration efforts, covering a total area of approximately 2043
square meters, ensured the preservation of the building's integrity. The refurbished space now
displays a rector's office, classrooms, a canteen, an auditorium, libraries, computer rooms, office
spaces, exhibition hall and a laboratory that will soon be built.
Acknowledging the vital contributions of all stakeholders involved, I extend my deepest gratitude to
the European Union for their unwavering financial support. I also commend the UNDP for their
important assistance in project management. Special appreciation is reserved for the Monument
Bureau, the University of Aruba, the Department of Economic Affairs, Trade and Industry, the
Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, as well as our dedicated contractors and subcontractors.
It is worth mentioning that the SISSTEM Faculty has graduated three students thus far. Currently,
there are fifty-five students enrolled in the bachelor’s program, seven in the master’s program, and a
and valuable research projects, demonstrating that the Aruba’s first technical faculty dedicated to
Sustainable Island Solutions through Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics –
SISSTEM Faculty is fulfilling its purpose.
Today as we stand amidst the Opening of the Maria Convent, we celebrate not only the restoration
of a building but the preservation of our heritage and the continuation of our journey towards
sustainability and innovation. Together, we have reached another milestone in the Aruba history. I
express my heartfelt gratitude to all who have contributed to this project, reaffirming the power of
collaboration in shaping a brighter future for generations to come.
Thank you”.
Minister Maduro ta gradici Union Europeo, UNDP, Universidad di Leuven, Universidad di Aruba,
Monumentenbureau, DEZHI y Albo Aruba NV, tur colega Ministernan pa haci e proyecto aki
posibel. Masha danki pa kere den nos Pais Aruba!
total of nine are enrolled in the PhD program. Half of the participants in the doctoral program are
international students, with several relocating to Aruba to participate in the program. Furthermore,
75% of the senior staff members are also international. All these students are engaged in important
