Education has changed a lot in recent years and there are several studies indicating how important it is to continue to adapt our education to our modern world. Dr. Earney Lasten, Rector of Viamoon Technical College, in Chia Colombia, explains a little more about Viamoon, a unique Technical College, in English, close to home and accessible to all students in the Caribbean.
Recently, E Arubiano News sat down with Dr. Earney Lasten to understand a little more about the idea, concept and of course the college itself, Viamoon Technical College. Established in January this year, Viamoon Technical College is a young, well-organized school, offering different programs to students of different levels. According to Dr. Lasten, his extensive experience in different educational programs abroad gave him a different perspective of culture but also allowed him to see what the gaps are, what is missing in our education system. This knowledge, along with his extensive knowledge in Tourism & Hospitality Management, observations of the mindset of the students, the financial factor that plays a big role in education, the safety, accessibility, quality, and cost of living brought Dr. Lasten to the idea of setting up Viamoon Technical College. Dr. Lasten explains that Viamoon focuses on more technical programs and on preparing the student for a successful career. It is a lighter program so that students can focus for a short time but eventually graduate with a degree in hand and are well prepared for the labor market. Dr. Lasten explains that in addition to the programs such as Career Technical High School, International Tourism & Hospitality Management, Business Administration, Information Technology, he explains that they included Disability Studies & Include Real-World Education. We live in a world with different people with disabilities and according to Dr. Lasten, there is a huge gap in social humanistic education where a student learns how to treat people with disabilities. A program that will certainly benefit all students, but specifically those students who want to focus on programs such as International Tourism & Hospitality Management.
In Aruba, many students follow the traditional steps of completing secondary school and continuing their studies in the Netherlands. However, there are many students who after finishing secondary school here in Aruba, are not sure what they want to do or what they want to study. Some students are hesitant about the decision which can be very costly in the end. Dr. Lasten explains that Viamoon Career Technical High School is a secondary school that focuses on preparing students for the labor market.
For the past few years, Dr. Lasten noticed that many students go to school because they want a degree, but they don’t make the decision about what they want to study with passion. “So, I want to make it much more didactic, interactive, sometimes there are classes that are without walls, so maybe in nature for example” Lasten says. Teaching from the heart, is what Dr. Lasten focuses most on.
Location
For the last few years there is a big problem with housing shortages in the Netherlands. Dr. Lasten explains, that Chía, Cundinamarca, Colombia is a city an hour away from Bogota Colombia, it is in a very quiet area, and is known for its shopping malls. According to Dr. Lasten the quality of life in Colombia for a student is much higher than in Europe and the United States today. A student can cover the cost of renting an all-inclusive room for $100 per month. There are possibilities for off-campus living where students can opt to share a home and lower costs even further. Dr. Lasten invites students from Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao to feel at home in Chia, Colombia. Where he’s the rector himself, who is an Aruban, inviting students to come live for a short period in Colombia, in a city very close to home, and get your associate degree in a very short time.
Apart from the school, Colombia is a big country, there are many places to meet and entertain, there are malls, there are attractions and there are many things to do. If you want to go home, the ticket is cheaper, and the distance is shorter. The school itself has a full campus, including a church. Colombia is a country with a very religious culture, so the church is part of many cities, schools, institutions, workplaces, etc.
Admission
E Arubiano News asked Dr. Lasten regarding admission of students from Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao where most students come from the Dutch education system that is distributed in different levels, starting with Basic Vocational Education, Mavo, Havo, VWO and University of Aruba. Dr. Lasten explains that during the admission process, their focus is on the humanistic part. With the knowledge that everyone learns in their own way, at different speeds, each student can achieve better than they could be. Dr. Lasten also explains that there is no discrimination based on the level of the student and believes that all students have the same chance to succeed. Working in a much more personalized way with the student ensures that students come to school with enthusiasm and enthusiasm.
Accreditation
Dr. Lasten explains that although the school is relatively new, it has begun its accreditation process in both Colombia and the United States. The accreditation opens the door for students who want to continue their studies at the University, to enter the University level thanks to the accreditation of the Viamoon diploma.
A city of the future
Dr. Lasten hopes that with the changes of mayors in Chia Colombia, he will be able to talk to the mayor, and explain the opportunities for Chia as a student city. In addition, the business also contributes to the growth of the students, making it a Public, Private, Community Partnership (PPCP). Not only are students supported by this partnership, but businesses and the community also succeed with this opportunity.
For more information about Viamoon Technical College visit www.viamoon.com for more information about admission contact Dr. Earney Lasten at contact@viamoon.com or at +54 318 719 9735
