Bachelor in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics University of Aruba

Sustainable Island Solutions through Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

Sustainability has become the watchword of governments, businesses and research institutes. Sustainability requires collaboration between institutions and disciplines, it cannot be translated into technological terms alone. However, science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) do have an important role to play in sustainable development in the 21 st century.

The vulnerability of small island states to environmental and economic shocks requires a multidisciplinary response towards sustainable development. In this perspective, it is evident that our countries, societies, and industry demand future innovators, educators, researchers and leaders who can solve the most pressing challenges both today and tomorrow.

Sustainable Island Solutions through science, technology, engineering, and mathematics will embody sustainability policies on an academic level, supporting resilience in small island states while also educating a workforce that has the skill and capacity to make these policies a reality.

SISSTEM will provide the (research) skills and disciplines, supported by its research centers and laboratories, within the scope of achieving sustainable development with a focus on sustainable energies, bio-environmental awareness, sustainable technology, and engineering, as well as informatics and data sciences.

For this purpose, the University of Aruba, in collaboration with the KU Leuven and with funding provided by the European Union, has set up SISSTEM: Sustainable Island Solutions through Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.

Graduate Profiles

In general, the graduates will qualify for BA-level positions in laboratories, industry, the public sector as well as environmental and developmental agencies. Due to the nature of the program, the graduates will have a background that is sufficiently broad to adapt to and develop in a wide variety of medium and high-level positions. The specialization will co-determine the graduates' competitiveness for more specialized positions.

The specific focus of the program on sustainable development in small island states will give the graduates a strong advantage in positions that require specific skills and contextual knowledge for challenges in small island states, in the Caribbean and beyond. The BA-STEM will facilitate access to MA-programs in a wide range of STEM and sustainability studies.

The University of Aruba in collaboration with the KULeuven will offer a multidisciplinary master’s program in sustainable development in small island states that will also grant access to graduates of the BA-STEM program.