Opening academic year 2007-2008

On Friday August 31 at 20:00 hours the UNA celebrated the opening of the new Academic year 2007/2008, with keynote speaker Mayor Job Cohen. The title of his speech was Nation building: the importance of knowledge. His speech was in line with the purpose of his visit to respecively Sint Maarten and Curaçao, for the closing of cooperation agreements with the city of Amsterdam. Mayor Cohen discussed the importance of knowledge for cities in the 21st century and knowledge exchange as a tool for international relations.

As the Rector magnificus I performed the opening the academic year in traditional manner and spoke about the importance of a well-educated population and the braindrain phenomenon, recent developments at the UNA and exchange programs between the UNA and other universities in the Netherlands and in the region.

Last but not least, I took this opportunity to honor the board of the UNA's introduction committee (IntrocommUNA), guided by chairwoman and student Nathalie Cannegieter.