We Are UA
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- We are UA
Rooted in Aruba, Connected to the World!
The University of Aruba is the starting point for your transformation. We are a community of educators, researchers, and partners dedicated to your growth and the progress of our island. By combining a supportive and inclusive environment with academic excellence, we turn knowledge into meaningful action to strengthen our society.
Together, we are the University of Aruba.
What we stand for #UAchieve
Our Mission
At the University of Aruba, our mission is “to transform lives and strengthen communities. We cultivate generations of responsible citizens who lead, inspire, and contribute meaningfully through our integrated efforts in higher education, learning, research, and societal impact.”
We exist to make a difference in the lives of every student or person who walks through our doors, in the community that surrounds us, and in the wider world we are connected to.
We do not simply prepare students for the world as it is. We prepare them to shape the world as it should be.
Our Vision
What we aspire #UAim
By 2035, we aim to be Aruba’s primary resource for knowledge and innovation. By uniting education with community engagement, we provide the expertise needed to support our island’s sustainable development and ensure a resilient future for all. Our vision statement:
“The University of Aruba is a leading, locally rooted and globally engaged institution dedicated to advancing knowledge, unlocking opportunities, and shaping societal transformation.”
Our Core Values
What guides us #UAct
Five values form the foundation of everything we do and the behavior we expect from ourselves every day:
"A University that listens, learns, and engages with its community thrives and transforms society" - Rector Sue-Ann Lee
A Message from our Rector
How we think & work
At the University of Aruba, we are dedicated to cultivating an environment where students, staff, and partners experience a genuine sense of belonging. To ensure our island thrives, we must move beyond rigid structures and think in terms of a living ecosystem that values diversity, nurtures interdependence, and adapts effectively to global changes.
We collectively embrace this shift by integrating academic excellence with culture, economic awareness, and community stewardship. Within our institution, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are lived values supported by transparent action and policy. In the years ahead, we remain committed to ensuring these core principles guide our teaching and research, positioning the University of Aruba as a distinguished beacon of social progress in the Caribbean region.
Governance & Organization
How we operate
The University of Aruba’s management structure operates transparently, with clear lines of responsibility, to support our academic mission and serve our community. The governance model balances central administrative oversight with localized faculty leadership, keeping our students and staff at the very center of everything we do.
The Board of Trustees
President Curatordrs. Juri Nicolaas 
Vice-president Curator mr. Eugene H.J. Martis
Curator drs. Herry Koolman
Curatorms. Tisa LaSorteOur Strategic Oversight: The Board of Trustees provides foundational oversight, ensuring the university remains aligned with its long-term mission and statutory responsibilities.
Our Academic Leadership: Led by the Rector, this branch drives our core mission across our four faculties, the Academic Foundation Year, the Center for Quality Assurance, and the Research Center.
Our Operational Excellence: Directed by the Business Director, this branch manages the essential infrastructure and student services that keep our campus thriving, including finance, specialized networks such as Student Affairs, International Affairs, and Lifelong Learning, and campus infrastructure.
Our Story: Fostered by Purpose
Where we come from
Today, the University of Aruba is a globally connected, multi-faculty institution. From our historic campus in Oranjestad, we serve thousands of students, professionals, and community partners every year through education, impactful research, and international opportunities, including the Erasmus+ program.
Our journey began in 1988 as a single Faculty of Law (FDR), founded with a clear, small-scale purpose: to provide quality higher education for the people of Aruba. Over more than three decades, that foundation grew. We expanded into the Faculty of Economics & Finance (FEF), the Faculty of Hospitality & Tourism Management (FHTMS), the Faculty of Arts and Science (FAS), our Research Center, and the Center for Lifelong Learning.
In 2023, we celebrated our 35th anniversary!
A milestone that reflects not just our growth, but the meaningful impact we have had on our community. As the University of Aruba continues to grow as an institution, we pave the way for our students and graduates to step into key roles, turning academic excellence into meaningful action and responsible leadership that strengthen our society.
Location
Our Location
In the heart of Oranjestad
We are located in the historic La Salle Building, right in the beating heart of Aruba: Oranjestad. Our campus is more than a place to study. It is a space where ideas meet, communities gather, and futures take shape.
Aruba isn't just a study destination. It is an opportunity to belong, contribute, and thrive.
Our student community is a vibrant blend of local talent and international minds. From fresh high school graduates to experienced working professionals, lifelong learners to international exchange students. The UA brings together people from all walks of life, united by a shared desire to grow.
Students
International Students
Countries
Our Home is Your Home
Where we embrace diversity & inclusion
At the University of Aruba, we believe that a university that truly serves its community must reflect that community in all its richness. We believe that an inclusive academic community is essential for developing responsible global citizens. Our vision is rooted in openness, connectedness, mutual respect, and recognizing that diversity is our strength.
We believe in building a sustainable future where every individual is safe, respected, and empowered to contribute to our island's progress.
We are working diligently to foster a safe and supportive campus where individuals from all walks of life can thrive, belong, and feel empowered to share their unique perspectives. This includes ensuring access to academic and facilities support for students with disabilities, promoting wellness initiatives, and creating an inclusive culture through projects like Shocowellness. Our commitment to integrity, academic freedom, and respect for diversity continuously drives us to improve and cultivate a welcoming space for everyone.
Erasmus+ Charter & International Collaboration
International Partners
The University of Aruba is a proud holder of the Erasmus+ Charter for Higher Education (ECHE): an official recognition by the European Commission that reflects our commitment to quality, open, and internationally engaged education. It is not just a certificate on the wall; it is a statement of who we are. Through Erasmus+, UAchievers access funded opportunities to study and intern at partner universities and organizations across Europe. Incoming students from our partner institutions experience the University of Aruba and our academic community as part of their international journey.
For Erasmus+ cooperation and mobility arrangements, the University of Aruba’s institutional details are provided below:
University of Aruba
Erasmus+ Code: NL ORANJES02
Please find both the Erasmus Charter for Higher Education (ECHE) and the Erasmus+ Policy Statement of the University of Aruba via the buttons below.
Our International Partnerships
Our international partnerships are not just formal agreements. They are living relationships, built through student exchanges, joint research, and shared academic values
International collaboration has been part of the UA since its founding. Today, we maintain active partnerships with universities in Europe, the Americas, and across the Caribbean incl. our longstanding collaboration with the University of South Carolina.
What we maintain and safeguard
Our Commitment to Quality & Academic Excellence
At the University of Aruba, quality is not an afterthought; it is a commitment we live every day.
Quality assurance at the University of Aruba is an ongoing process of evaluation, reflection, and improvement. Through our Center for Quality Assurance (CQA), we ensure that our academic programs meet recognized national and international accreditation standards. We believe that exceptional education begins with honest self-reflection. By combining rigorous external evaluation with continuous internal feedback, we safeguard the value of your degree and turn academic excellence into real-world success. The following programs have received a positive evaluation. Click on each program for its evaluation details. Those that have not been mentioned have not undergone a formal accreditation evaluation at this time.
FdR: BA Nov 2025 - 2031FdR: MA Nov 2025 - 2031
FEF: BA Finance Jan 2026 - 2032FEF: BA Marketing Jan 2026 - 2032
FAS: BA SW&D In development 2026FAS: BA OGM Jan 2024 - 2029
FHTMS: BA Feb 2026 - 2032Our Quality Commitment in Practice
Guided by our Quality Assurance Strategic Roadmap (2024–2027), we foster a university-wide culture where excellence is a shared responsibility. We bring this commitment to life through:
Credible & Accredited Programs
We manage ongoing accreditation cycles to keep our programs competitive, relevant, and recognized both locally and internationally.
Student-Centered Progress
Your voice matters. We regularly gather and take action on feedback from students and stakeholders to continuously elevate our learning environment.
Teaching Exellence & Staff Development
We invest in continuous professional development and training for our educators, grounded in international best practices.
Transparent Impact
We maintain clear, honest reporting on our institutional outcomes, performance, and the meaningful contribution we make to the Aruban community.
Our Annual Reports
What we have achieved annually
We believe that accountability is part of what it means to be a trusted institution. Each year, we publish our Annual Report: a transparent account of our academic performance, institutional developments, research contributions, and financial stewardship. Our reports reflect our commitment to open governance and responsible management. They are an honest look at where we stand, what we have achieved, and where we are headed.