SISSTEM

The Sustainable Island Solutions through Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (SISSTEM) programme, a joint initiative by the Government of Aruba (GoA) and the University of Aruba (UA), seeks to establish a new SISSTEM Faculty at the University, with special focus on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). The key objective of the programme is to enable the UA to deliver tertiary-level educational programmes, as well as a research offer with a focus on STEM. The academic and curricular component of the SISSTEM programme is currently being developed by the UA in collaboration with the KU Leuven University in Belgium. 

Given that the University infrastructure was considered insufficient to accommodate the SISSTEM programme, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) was selected as implementing partner for the expansion of the faculty. The project, fully funded by the European Union (EU), with a contribution of 7,300,000 EUR, will secure and make available physical facilities to house the new SISSTEM Faculty. For such, UNDP is currently, in close collaboration with the Aruba Monuments Bureau (MB), managing the renovation of the Maria Convent Historic Building in Oranjestad (Aruba). 

Once renovated (second quarter of 2024), this historic building will increase the UA’s capacity with multi-functional classrooms, study rooms, a library and an auditorium and staff offices, particularly for its STEM bachelor and master programmes, which already hosts 35 students and 11 Ph.D. researchers/teachers. 

Fast Facts

Value of Project in USD: 7,300,000 Euros (USD 8,311,780)

Duration: 68 months

Donor: European Union (EU)

Implementing Partners: UNDP

Impact of project

The key objective of the project is for the UA to be able to deliver tertiary-level educational programmes, as well as a research offer with a particular focus on STEM subjects. The SISSTEM Project will increase the number of people with expertise and technical skills for innovative, sustainable development in Aruba, in the Caribbean as well as in other Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The project will:

• Provide multi-functional classrooms for between 25 to 50 students and office space for 25 staff of the University of Aruba.
• Provide the creation of opportunities for local and regional students to pursue STEM careers near home 
• Enhances the human resource capacity and innovation potential of Aruba and other SIDS, contributing to their sustainable development and economic diversification.

Facebook:

• https://www.facebook.com/UNDPTT/photos/a.179069955577488/1952011858283280?paipv=0&eav=AfZEuEUlMxSn1KPMvlDIvzKMZipZ7UPfBb5K-P73IkqsIGyD1PFvOL7WY1pjnARLQEg&_rdr 
• https://www.facebook.com/UNDPTT/photos/a.179069955577488/2146916565459474/ 
• https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=465710722441228&set=a.399477229064578
• https://www.facebook.com/UNDPTT/posts/pfbid05zT6wLXSBtP38TsvyycZcGY6CDpCT27GKD45eiumMHKYwQ594Fvr7e6K4bW3th5sl 

Twitter:

• https://twitter.com/UNDPTT/status/1159849585281384448 
• https://twitter.com/UNDPTT/status/1492136703791927305 
• https://twitter.com/UNDPTT/status/1659192018692632577 

YouTube:

• https://youtu.be/b_DtNEJAHZE

Project Team Members: 

Gladys Gbegnedji – Project Manager

Thinley Penjore – Supervision Engineer

Vidmara Geerman – Project Assistant