HARBOR VIEW, Philipsburg, Sint Maarten – As they take steps to restart the law programme on Sint Maarten, the University of Curacao Dr. Moises da Costa Gomez Sint Maarten Division in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport has taken steps to resume its law program on Sint Maarten.
As a result, the institution opened its new location at the Brooks Tower Building in Harbor View. This was done during an in person/virtual ceremony held on Friday, April 23rd.
On hand for the occasion were among other invited guests, the Honorable Prime Minister of Sint Maarten, Silveria Jacobs, the Honorable Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, drs. Rodolphe Samuel, the initiator of the law program, former Minister of Finance Attorney Richard Gibson Sr, former Minister of Education, Pastor Wycliffe Smith, the Chancellor of UoC Dr. Francis de Lanoy, Dean at UoC Professor Flora Goudappel and the former the Minister Health, Social Affairs and Labor, Richard Panneflek.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the UoC Dr. Moises da Costa Gomez Sint Maarten Division at its new location at the Brooks Tower Building in Harbor View Friday evening, the Honorable Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, drs. Rodolphe Samuel noted that he is elated that the law program is resuming.
He said: “One of the good reasons is the accreditation of the program that is so very important for the development of Sint Maarten and its people.”
The law program was initiated by Attorney Richard Gibson when he served in the Council of Ministers as the Minister of Finance back 2016. Speaking on the occasion of the restart of the law program at its new location on Friday, the former Minister of Finance reemphasized on the significance of the program for Sint Maarten.
“Something which I perceive to be of vital importance for the development of Sint Maarten long term, still has life,” Mr. Gibson Sr said, adding that it is essential that there is always money placed in the budget to sustain the law school.
“It is something that is necessary and vital. It is already approved unanimously 100% by Parliament. Going forward in future, it is something that has to be accomplished, if you want to develop Sint Maarten in a manner that will gain respect everywhere,” he expounded.
“The lack of money can no longer be the excuse, because money long term you will earn through this method,” the former Minister of Finance, Attorney Richard Gibson Sr told invited guests.
“Perpetuation of our presence in Sint Maarten is one example of how University of Curacao’s commitment is extending its presence in the Caribbean area with active participation,” the Chancellor of UoC Dr. Francis de Lanoy said, whilst highlighting the significance of the law program for Sint Maarten.
Currently, some 14 students are enrolled in the school of law on the island. Six of them are third year students, 4 in their second year, 2 as first year students and 2 certificate students.
