On June 30, 2025, Illay Leon officially graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Organization, Governance and Management (OGM) from the Faculty of Arts and Science at the University of Aruba, after successfully defending his thesis.
His final thesis, titled “Sustainable Agricultural Entrepreneurship,” focused on how Aruba can develop sustainable agriculture to strengthen food security and economic resilience.
The graduation panel included Dr. Luc Alofs, Christie Mettes, MSc, and Francielle Laclé, MSc. Also in attendance were Ahmet Talan, MSc, program manager of OGM, Illay’s family, university faculty, and fellow students.
Illay’s research used the Doughnut Economics model, emphasizing knowledge-based economies, sustainable business models, financial opportunities, and the legal framework surrounding agriculture in Aruba.
Participants in his research included agricultural entrepreneurs, industry specialists, and policy makers working in the agricultural sector.
Among his key recommendations:
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Focus on crop diversity to enhance biodiversity and open new revenue streams.
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Land management reform to enable the development of basic infrastructure for agricultural growth.
Illay expressed his gratitude to the OGM faculty and all professionals who supported and guided his academic journey. Special thanks were also extended to both the University of Aruba and external contributors who made this milestone possible.
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