"I expect you to never forget the time you have spent here. This island will remain with you forever and is a part of what you are and what you will become as individuals and as practitioners in the medical field."
Philipsburg:--- The Prime Minister of St. Maarten the Honorable Sarah Wescot-Williams was one of the honored guests at the Commencement Ceremony for the Class of 2013 of the American University of the Caribbean on Saturday. The Ceremony, which celebrated the largest group of graduating students since the establishment of the Medical University, was held at the Sonesta Maho resort and featured guests from around the region, including representatives from the DeVry Group of Companies.
During her remarks at the Graduation Ceremony the Prime Minister stated that on behalf of the Government of St Maarten it was again her pleasure to be able to attend the ceremony. "Since the establishment of the AUC I have attended many celebratory events at the school as it continued and continues to grow from strength to strength. But it is always an extra pleasure to be at the Commencement Ceremonies, which for the students it is a crowning event of their career here on the island. It is a sign of confidence for the Country of St. Maarten and for the AUC that you, the students, have chosen St Maarten for your place of study. I am convinced that as you leave our shores you will not only have left with your degree but also with many fond experiences that you have had while on the island. I wanted to, in a special way, also well welcome the parents and loved ones who have joined you for this occasion. This is St. Maarten, the place where you as graduate have decided to come to and study and as St. Maarteners we are very proud of the Graduates Congratulations are also in order for the faculty and staff for continuing to build this school so that every year we can have these ceremonies. Thank you for making this island the permanent residence of UAC and look how far you have come since 1995. The Government of St. Maarten congratulates you in bringing the school to where it is today.
"To the students we say as you embark on your medical career, no matter how hectic your career may become, I expect you to never forget the time you have spent here. This island will remain with you forever and is a part of what you are and what you will become as individuals and as practitioners in the medical field. Thank you for choosing St. Maarten and also for the interaction you have had with the community of St. Maarten and for making it a household name on this island. We hope you may come back quickly and often and I look forward to seeing you soon. God bless you, stay strong and remain faithful to your calling and God Bless the Nation of St. Maarten," commented the Prime Minister
The American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine was founded in 1978, upon a belief in the need for visionary, skilled, compassionate doctors. The AUC was originally chartered by the Government of Montserrat in the British West Indies, however, In 1995 Montserrat's Soufrière Hills Volcano caused the school to be relocated to St. Maarten. In 1998, the School of Medicine completed a new multi-million-dollar teaching and learning facility and in 2002, AUC's modern one and two-bedroom student dormitory was constructed.
The AUC Medical School in Collaboration with the University of St. Maarten provides the opportunity for locals to become future physicians through the provision of scholarships worth up to $ 30.000. The AUC also collaborates very closely with the St. Maarten Medical Center in providing health care to the people of St. Maarten and logistical support through various programs.
From the Cabinet of the Prime Minister