Dear Editor,
There is a problem that is interdepartmental, yet the individual departments that are trying to handle it or have to cope with it themselves but cannot. There may be a solution for it that makes sense, and avoids blame-game games or calling names.
1. The University becomes an independent non-profit legal entity, within the organizational structure. A division can be made between educational matters and business matters.
2. The government will not pay for the institution, its facilities or the upkeep. Thus, it is a financial relief for the Minister of Education and the Minister of Finance. A third Ministry may see a benefit, the Minister of TEATT with regard to economic development.
3. The government will subsidize the tuition fees for the local students. So, it is still taking care of the students and members of the community in a responsible manner. Individuals, or organizations or business may provide grants to individual proven talented students. Thus, there is a stimulus to bring clients (students) to the business (university).
4. The challenging responsibility of the business affairs, infrastructure, facilities and the financing would come in the hands of a qualified professional who is acquainted with and trained for those types of activities and development. The task is to make the University financially self-sustaining.
5. A harmonious cooperation between the person in charge of education and the manager of the business and economic affairs of the entity will provide ample opportunities for positive developments in both sectors; more flexibility and opportunity for growth.
The model will make the organizational structure of the University more performance based, and responsive to market demand. It also provides the flexibility to initiate new products that will expand the client base (foreign students) and bring in additional revenue.
The University will have more freedom to do research and studies that may benefit and be paid by businesses or government organizations (even foreign); thus, extra educational value and an extra source of revenue. Not to forget how it could positively influence marketing communication; not just for the image of the University, but also the image of St. Maarten.
The educators are not paid according to a tariff but rather according to expertise and performance. Some of the best universities in the US have some of the highest tuition fees and therefore can pay the highest salaries for some of the best professors, which on its turn attracts the most promising students and the best talents. It creates an out-spiralling effect. It will remain a negotiating matter between government and University how the local students and community is served best.
Last week, I published an article on “Changing Caribbean Economies”. One of the suggestions, I made was to develop a “knowledge industries” to come an economy that is not just depending on tourism. What I have been suggesting above about the reorganization of University St. Martin would need more consideration and working on the details; however, it is food for serious thought.
Is that the only thing that I can come up with for economic development that is not persé depending on tourism? I just happen to also be the author of series of stories on a Caribbean island named St. Tosia. I would like to give you an example of an advance on that island that may fit in with finding new ways to generate revenue and even combine it with training and education.
Puerto Olvidar, the capital city of St. Tosia, does not have all those luxury typical commodity brands that are found in major cities all over the world. The Kaya Grande Rico is the island’s famous thoroughfare where more interesting boutiques are located that offer head-turning fashion that will determine what everyone will be wearing next summer in Saint Tropez and Malibu. The upper feminine echelons who visit St. Tosia are not bedecked in designer clothes of the well-known top brands, but prefer to be dressed in the exclusive unique designs of some the native creators. Take for instance Aisha Akubango’s boutique “Aisha’s Ecstasy”. It exudes an exotic tease of nouveaux Caribbean elegance.
Aisha went to Europe to study fashion and to be inspired by avant-garde designers. What she experienced left her with a feeling that it was shamefully dowdy. She declared herself disappointed and returned to the Caribbean to settle on St. Tosia. She developed an unconventional approach to fashion primarily accentuated by her idiosyncratic style and executed in her adventurous asymmetric designs.
Safira Silverblum, Managing Editor of the exquisite glossy Style Island magazine, wrote about Aisha in the vogue section: “Aisha is noted for her fashion design exuberance and incomparable artistic presentation. She pursues innovative styles for the Caribbean and other warm climates showcasing her love affair with exotic bright colours. Her designs have become famous for raising the simplest fabrics to new heights of fashion. Aisha has reached a pinnacle that few others have achieved in exclusive Haut-Couture styling.”
So, Aisha maybe an idea to look into developing a fashion and design industry in the region or maybe on St. Maarten. How about a future faculty at the University for Caribbean for fashion and design? Ask the young women around you on the island who might be interested in such an area of education and training? The current university model most likely not allow for it, for the suggested new university model it may be an opportunity. One of the opportunities may be that the University will get an educational hub-status in the region.
Cdr. Bud Slabbaert
