The Colegio EPI, located on the island of Aruba, is one of the largest community colleges within the Dutch Caribbean Islands with over 1,800 students attending over 12 programs on a daily basis, and offering several MBO level 3 & 4 Degrees in many areas. The school consists of 4 units namely: Unit Science & Technology, Unit Economy & Administration, Unit Hospitality & Tourism, Unit Healthcare & Related Services.
The Colegio EPI Hospitality & Tourism Unit is a government and internationally accredited institution of higher continuing education, granting an Associate of Science Degree in Hospitality Management and an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Culinary Arts to qualifying students. Established as Aruba's Hotel School in 1982 with funding from the EC, the Colegio EPI Hospitality & Tourism Unit nowadays enjoys much respect at home from both the public and private sectors, and has earned recognition from numerous international schools and institutions. Each year about 15% of the student body is comprised of students from numerous countries providing the school with a pleasant international flavor. International students come from countries such as St. Maarten, Bonaire, Curacao, Grenada, Jamaica, the Philippines, the Netherlands, the U.S.A., Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Suriname, South Africa, Peru, Colombia, Cuba, Costa Rica, Haiti, Ecuador, and Brazil. The Colegio EPI Hospitality & Tourism Unit is an active member of the International Council for Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education (ICHRIE), the Caribbean Council of Hotels Schools (CHOCHS), the American Hotel and Lodging Association – Educational Institute, and the Aruba Hotel & Tourism Association (AHATA). The school is also a member of the World Congress on Hospitality Education and Training. All faculty members are certified professionals and/or university graduates with either a Bachelor or a Master degree which speaks for the level of professionalism and commitment to all program offered at the unit. A working relationship and agreement currently exist with many internationally accredited education institutions including: UCF (University of Central Florida), FIU (Florida International University), Stenden University (in Leeuwaarden), Hotel School The Hague (Den Haag), ICUC (Intercontinental University of the Caribbean in Curacao), and the University of Aruba.
The Dean of Academic Affairs, Mr. Ryan Maduro, will be paying an official visit to the island of St. Maarten from April 13-15 to among others meet with St. Maarten Department of Education Officials, and will also hold a public session to provide general information to everyone interested regarding the programs offered at the institution.
The General Academic Information Session is scheduled on Thursday, April 14 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the PMIA Hall located on Backstreet in Philipsburg. All students and parents interested in a reputable Internationl Hospitality and Tourism Program are welcome to attend this information session. In particular students who do have, or are pursuing a PKL, TKL, or HAVO degree at local schools and are currently exploring continuing education options abroad will be able to get general information regarding the programs offered at this hospitality & tourism institution. Aside from general information about the programs offered, potential candidates will receive information regarding the academic requirements for admission and the enrollment process at this institution. It is important to mention that the Colegio EPI Hospitality & Tourism Unit enjoys an outstanding relationship with the island of St. Maarten Department of Study Financing, and this in turn offers financing possibilities to all potential candidates that qualify to attend programs at this education institution.
On behalf of the faculty & staff at the Colegio EPI Hospitality & Tourism unit consider this as your personal invitation to attend and receive relevant information regarding your choice of profesional education in the field of hospitality & tourism. The message conveyed by the unit Student Body Council to all potential candidates is: "My future, My choice!", which is to encourage you to consider that your choice in education will become your future and will shape your destiny!
