A proposition you cannot refuse UNA 2020 A proposition you cannot refuse Opening academic year 2010-2011

More figures 101010 31 31 Years ago the University of the Netherlands Antilles (UNA) was founded. We are a month from 101010 and Curaçao and St. Maarten will emerge as autonomous countries within the Kingdom. We live in turbulent times. There are big opportunities. The UNA will play a key role in the development of the new countries. It is a privilege to be the Rector Magnificus of the UNA. I have a proposition of a vision for the UNA community and the community of Curaçao. It is named: UNA 2020. Opening academic year 2010-2011

Strategy and sculpturing Formulating a strategy is like sculpting a statue. According to Michelangelo sculpting is simple: Just remove everything that doesn’t look like the sculpture. So formulating a strategy is no magic. Opening academic year 2010-2011

Knowledge Zone The UNA must be the center of the knowledge economy of Curaçao. This knowledge economy will be concentrated around the university and will be called Knowledge Zone or K-Zone. In this zone knowledge workers will concentrate. Opening academic year 2010-2011

The K-Zone is already there! A cluster of existing projects IFE New Hospital The Medical School of UNA UTS Carmabi (MuO) Airport City Wechi Aqualectra SWAC Piscadera Otrobanda, UNESCO World Heritage Kura Hulanda This K-Zone is already taking shape with the arrival of the IFE, the presence of UTS Training Center and the projection of a new hospital. On the 1st September 2010 I already announced the start of the School of Medicine. Before that we signed a MUO with Carmabi. We also have and understanding with Curaçao Aiport Holding an at the other extreme, with Kura Hulanda. The zone will stretch from the airport city, including the new housing project of Wechi, till Otrobanda, part of the UNESCO World Heritage. The K-Zone is a cluster of existing projects seeking synergy by synchronizing efforts by connecting together. Opening academic year 2010-2011

Connecting the projects Vision Connectivity Mobility Besides the vision the binding factors will be connectivity and mobility. In this zone we must have the best available internet speed and connectivity on the island and a special arrangement for public transportation. To obtain these, State Owned Enterprises will have to play a key role as corporate citizens and exhibit corporate social responsibility. Opening academic year 2010-2011

UNA at the (Knowledge) Center The strategic position of Curacao Accreditation of programs Sustainable development Caribbean Small Island Developing States (UNESCO chair) Millennium Development Goals The UNA is (not will be) at the center of the K-Zone offering European accredited programs. And taking advantage of the role of Caribbean integrator and the crossroad of the Americas and Europe. Five years ago adopted the theme Sustainable Development for research. Recently I signed the agreement with the UNESCO to obtain the chair Caribbean Small Island Development States, competing with all other 22 SIDS in the Caribbean. The UNA has agreed last year to play an important role in achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) in the Netherlands Antilles by 2015. This means that the vision of the UNA for 2020 is: To be a Knowledge Center of Excellence in the area of Sustainable Development enabling the achievement of the MDG. The UNA will be the Knowledge Center where SIDS can obtain and contribute to solutions for challenges facing Caribbean SIDS. Dr Haraksingh will probably mention these challenges. Opening academic year 2010-2011

From Brain Drain to Brain Gain Creativity Jazz and art With is this proposition the UNA will attract students and scholars from the region and beyond. We will reverse the brain drain into brain gain. A student city will emerge in which students live in Otrobanda and take a shuttle bus to the UNA. Students arrive at the Airport City to attend conferences. But the K-Zone is also about creativity. This was demonstrated last week when Curaçao hosted the first Curaçao North Sea Jazz Festival at the World Trade Center. Opening academic year 2010-2011

This is not a plan Just remove everything that doesn’t look like the sculpture. In this case I would say: Just connect the dots. The K-zone is not a plan, it is a vision and it is a reality. It is already here. The only thing we need to do is, to embrace it and everybody has to do, what they have to do. Just as Michelangelo said: Just remove everything that doesn’t look like the sculpture. In this case I would say: Just connect the dots. Opening academic year 2010-2011

Connecting the dots Opening academic year 2010-2011

Reflection in action Dr. Haraksingh Opening academic year 2010-2011