From left are USM Dean of Academics Dr. Rolinda Carter, USM President Antonio Carmona Baez; Executive Dean at AUC Heidi Chumley and NIPA Director Sergio Blomont.
~Sign cooperation MoU ~
POND ISLAND–Three of the top institutions of higher learning in St. Maarten will now be working together formally in several areas, thanks to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) amongst the three during a press conference held at USM on Friday.
Signing the MoU were University of St. Martin (USM) President Antonio Carmona Baez; Executive Dean at American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine (AUC) Heidi Chumley and National Institute for Professional Advancement (NIPA) Director Sergio Blomont.
USM Dean of Academics Dr. Rolinda Carter was on hand to witness the signing, along with representatives of the three institutions. The signing of the MoU marks what the three institutions call the formation of St. Maarten’s first higher education coalition.
“We have come to realise that joining forces will best move our missions forward,” Blomont said, adding that parties will work together in crucial areas for the institutions and the communities they serve.
“With focus on the core issues of education and research, community service and public policy, we are committing to sharing resources to advance academic and scientific knowledge. By coordinating our efforts in the community, we will promote the health and wellbeing of the island’s population on everything, from public service and sustainable development to disease prevention and post disaster recovery,” Blomont added.
He said parties plan to raise awareness on key public health issues, plan together for times of natural disasters, share resources to benefit the three faculties, staff and students and engage government and key stakeholders in healthy dialogue to advance public policies and foster a culture of peace, equity and care for the environment. “We greatly look forward to this collaboration and the positive community impact it will yield for St. Maarten,” the NIPA director said.
Chumley said AUC is proud to be part of the first higher education coalition. She called the occasion historic. “We’re excited to have such esteemed partners in University of St Martin and National Institute for Professional Advancement as we join to work together in those areas of joint interest for our institutions and our communities. Through coordination and collaboration, we will focus on the areas of education and research; community service; and public policy. While these efforts no doubt help strengthen our institutions and the education community, they’ll contribute to the greater St. Maarten community as we look at ways to better prepare for disasters, address public health concerns such as disease prevention, and help guide public policy to foster innovation. AUC looks forward to continuing to contribute to the community and people of St. Maarten who have always shown us, our students, faculty and staff, such a warm welcome,” Chumley said.
Under the MoU parties committed to holding two general tripartite meetings per year in order to discuss issues of common concern and to plan collective activities. They also plan to sponsor at least one joint community action annually to raise awareness in the fields of public health, sustainable development and climate change.
At least one forum of public dialogue will also be sponsored annually on career development, professional advancement and/or educational policies. Parties also committed to sponsoring one annual fellowship event for the boards and administrators of the three institutions.
Another plan outlined in the MoU is the development of a platform for community action during instances of hurricane or other natural disasters. They also plan to share information that mutually benefit the faculty, staff, students and administrators of the three institutions, including internship possibilities, donations, and the acquisition of used and unused materials and resources that can be of benefit to one or more of the three institutions, as well as share information on policies or events that affect or benefit one or more of the three institutions.
They also plan to make public expression on concerns, events, activities, conferences and policies whenever the full tripartite membership is in agreement on sentiment and language and engage the business community, government, non-governmental organisations and communities of faith in dialogue for the benefit of friendly relations, peace and collective well-being.
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/84766-usm-auc-nipa-form-first-higher-education-coalition
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