The University of Aruba (UA) hosted its annual recognition ceremony, celebrating outstanding students whose academic research and community engagement have made a meaningful impact. The awards, presented in partnership with prominent local companies, highlight the high quality of academic work at UA and the direct value it brings to Aruba’s business sector and social landscape.
The University proudly emphasizes its cooperative model: each award-winning student is selected by their faculty in collaboration with a sponsoring company. This unique partnership ensures that student research remains academically rigorous while addressing the practical needs of Aruba’s society and industries, strengthening the connection between high-level academic talent and the island’s workforce.
Celebrating Achievement and Community Impact
The ceremony spotlighted students who tackled some of Aruba’s most pressing social, economic, environmental, and governance challenges across multiple faculties:
FHTMS (Hospitality and Tourism Management Studies)
Laurenne Croes was honored for her timely study, “Between Taboos and Trust: Factors Associated with Parental Willingness to Support Sex Education in Schools in Aruba.”
Supervisor Dr. Rosabelle Illis praised Laurenne for going beyond traditional tourism topics and helping spark conversations around a sensitive yet essential social issue.
Laurenne, who completed her internship at Cas Bon Development Group and now works there as an Executive Assistant, was proudly sponsored by the Aruba Tourism Authority.
FEF (Finance and Economics)
K.D. received recognition for the thesis “A Process Analysis of Accounts Receivable at the Aruba Chamber of Commerce and Industry,” which offered practical solutions to improve operational efficiency.
The supervisor highlighted K.D.’s respectful nature and insightful questions.
The award was generously supported by Ernst & Young and Pelican Adventures.
SWD (Social Work & Development)
Rose-Anne Winklaar was awarded for her research, “Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceptions of Parents Regarding Child Risk Factors for Children Aged 0–5 at Carnival Events in Aruba.”
A dedicated mother and passionate advocate for social justice, Rose-Anne continues her professional journey at the Department of Integration and Alien Management. Her award was sponsored by Setar.
The University also proudly announced that Rose-Anne’s thesis has been accepted for publication in the Caribbean Languages and Culture Volumes, edited by Dr. Nick Faraclas—an extraordinary achievement for a recent graduate and a milestone for UA.
OGM (Organization, Governance & Management)
Gilmar Werleman was recognized for his critical study, “Understanding the Barriers and Stimulators for Youth Participation: A Qualitative Case Study in the Parlamento Hubenil Aruba.”
Gilmar was praised for his energetic approach, critical thinking, and strong curiosity. His award was sponsored by Setar and RBC.
FDR MA (Law)
Jose Henriques Reyes earned distinction for his complex and well-structured thesis on the legal review of immigrant detention, “Het toetsen van vreemdelingenbewaring.”
The evaluation committee highlighted the thesis’ immediate relevance to Aruba’s legal practice. The award was proudly sponsored by the Orde van Advocaten van Aruba.
SISSTEM MA (Science, Technology & Engineering)
Tony Sevold received recognition for his innovative work, “Island Scale Observation of Coastal Ecosystems: Equitable Scientific Instruments for Monitoring Mangroves in Aruba.”
His research promotes low-cost environmental monitoring tools, sustainability, and community cooperation. The award was sponsored by Setar.
SISSTEM BA
Joel Rajnherc addressed linguistic inequality in technology through his thesis, “Speech-to-Text Model for Keyword Spotting Applications in the Papiamento Language Within a Healthcare Environment.”
By creating a functional framework to integrate Papiamento into AI applications, Joel advanced cultural preservation and equal access to healthcare technologies. His award was sponsored by Amsterdam Manor.
Honoring Mentorship
The University of Aruba also extended heartfelt gratitude to all thesis supervisors, whose dedication and exceptional mentorship guided students to reach this high level of academic excellence.
These awards serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of investing in local education and building strong partnerships with industry. Together, they help shape a vibrant, innovative future for Aruba.
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