WILLEMSTAD — The University of Curaçao (UoC) is to draw up a master plan on how the university can reorganize its financial position.

 

The Advisory Council states this in its advice on the Draft national decree regarding general measures to implement article 22, seventh section, of the National Regulation University of Curaçao Dr. Moises da Costa Gomez, which departs from increasing the tuition fees of the university.

 

The increase of the tuition fees – 1000 guilders for a bachelor training and 2000 guilders for a master training – had caused considerable consternation on the island earlier this year. The increase was necessary considering the precarious financial situation of the university. The increase of the tuition fees and enrolment fee will generate more revenues for the UoC and consequently improve the debt situation of the university.

 

In its advice the Advisory Council states that the UoC itself can do something to improve its financial situation, for example, by drawing up a master plan to increase the additional income of the university. “This could prevent the UoC from having to increase the tuition fees again in the (near) future as a result of which students are faced with even higher debts after completing their study.”

 

The Advisory Council doesn’t criticize the proposal, but rather the motivation for the increase. The explanation on the increase must contain a justification of the expenses for the government, citizens and institutions. “The Council misses a further elaboration on the consequences of the increase of the tuition fees and enrolment fee for both the UoC-students and for the Stichting Studiefinanciering Curaçao (SSC). The increase of the tuition fees and enrolment fee at the UoC will most likely lead to the government increasing the subsidy to the SSC. The explanatory memorandum does not elaborate on the financial consequences involved and the cover of such by the Country.” This contravenes the National Regulation Accountability 2010, according to the advisory body.