FAMU attracts more than just the best and brightest in America. It also enrolls many of the top high school seniors from the Caribbean, who qualify for in-state tuition rates.
Now, as FAMU works to bring its enrollment up to 15,000, it could receive many more freshmen and community college transfers from the island of St. Maarten.
Sarah Wescot-Williams, St. Maarten’s head of Government of Dutch, wants to enhance FAMU’s partnership with her country. During a recent visit to the campus, she outlined an ambitious agenda that included: increasing the number of St. Maartenian students who attend FAMU and creating more student and faculty exchange opportunities.
The university in St. Maarten only offers an associate degree. The local university helps students earn bachelor’s degrees by establishing partnerships with other institutions.
“Currently we are looking to help develop St. Maarten’s education capability,” said Joseph V. Jones, interim director of FAMU’s Office of International Education and Development. “Our goal is to advance their education offerings.”
The island of St. Maarten is part French and part Dutch. The larger portion that is owned by the Dutch is moving to become an independent country within the next two years.
To assist St. Maarten in its development, FAMU will provide professional, government and business training. FAMU plans to send some of its professors to St. Maarten to train their faculty. Also, some St. Maarten professors will likely come to FAMU and receive on-site instruction. Such collaborations will help the country develop master’s and Ph.D. programs.
During her visit to Tallahassee, Wescot-Williams also met with Gov. Charlie Crist, State Rep. Alan Williams, Mayor John Marks, City Commissioner Andrew Gillum, Mayoral Aide Ramon Alexander, and the St. Maarten Tallahassee Student Association.
Read more here and here.
Nice. At least these students won't cry about the cost of tuition.
ReplyDeleteIf FAMU and state keep on increasing tuition the St. Maarten students will be marching on the state capitol just like many of the American-born students.
ReplyDeleteYes. More island girls lol.
ReplyDeleteI see the Caribbean Students Association definitely has some fans on this blog.
ReplyDelete1:53 You must be one of the people who didn't see this economic problem growing. lol I'd rather them whine and graduate than see them get priced out. You must not live in Tally with the high utility bills? Smh lol. A bit of perspective here is due. Now, although we need the resources($x10), you don't have to harass people for having a differing opinion than that of yours. It IS expensive and its a shame that we don't question wether the schools are truly funded as they should be. Its a shame that that student housing at ALL of our schools have been downplayed and marginalized, privatized at the detriment of our investment of and IN the university and of the STUDENT"citizen", in most cases. We don't ask that the lottery be applied only after funding is in place, not as a substitute! We PAY UP for the jails and prisons- and we know now, that we're producing inhabitants for future prisons instead of positive, productive, law-upholding, active citizens, and civic leaders of tomorrow. We're feeding our own ills and it's time for sustainable and green thought be applied to our decisions otherwise we are "just throwing money" at the problem(as a bandage). That's what we've been doing for a long while, and it is TIME FOR CHANGE holistically. WAKE UP, EVERYBODY! OUR Time Is NOW! peace
ReplyDelete