PHILIPSBURG--Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport Wycliffe Smith signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the commencement of law classes at University of St. Martin (USM) with Professor Flora Goudappel of University of Curaçao, at the Government Administration Building on Tuesday.
This was made possible by the National Decree signed by Finance Minister Perry Geerlings last week Friday guaranteeing funding for the programme. The government agreed with the proposal to have persons interested in the legal profession be trained locally at USM.
The partnership now forged with the University of Curaçao makes it possible for classes to begin this week. Professor Goudappel will be meeting today, Wednesday, with the students who registered for the programme at USM. Some classes will be streamed live and some classes will be pre-recorded and sent from Curaçao to students in St. Maarten. In some cases, the professors will travel to St. Maarten to conduct classes in person and work with local students on specific assignments.
On hand to witness the signing of this long-awaited agreement were Minister Perry Geerlings, Ministry of Education representatives, USM board and management representatives, and community stakeholders who advocated for the availability of a local law programme.
The programme will last four to five years at the cost of US $3,000 per year for each student.
