PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — Minister of Education, Culture, Youth & Sport, Honourable Wycliffe Smith signed the Memorandum of Understanding with Professor Flora Goudappel of the University of Curacao for the commencement of Law classes at the University of St. Martin on Tuesday, October 2, 2018 at the Government Building. This was made possible by the National Ordinance signed by the Finance Minister Perry Geerlings last Friday guaranteeing its funding.
The Government of Sint Maarten agreed with the proposal to have persons interested in the legal profession be trained locally via the University of St. Martin. The partnership now forged with the University of Curacao makes it possible for classes to begin this week. Professor Goudappel will be meeting with the students who registered for the program at USM on Wednesday, October 3. Some classes will be streamed live and some classes will be pre-recorded and sent from Curacao to students here on Sint Maarten. In some cases, the professors will travel to Sint Maarten to conduct classes in person and work with our local students on specific assignments.
On hand to witness the signing of this long-awaited agreement were Minister Perry Geerlings, representatives of the ministry of Education Culture Youth and Sport, representatives of the Board and Management of the University of St. Martin as well as community stakeholders who advocated for the availability of a local Law Program for this country.
The Law program will last four to five years at the cost of US $3,000 per year for each student. The commencement of this Law program through the University of St. Martin meets a target under the Governing Program 2018-2022 in which USM becomes the nucleus for national and international development.
