WILLEMSTAD – The collapse of Richmond Gabriel University (RGU), a Caribbean-based offshore medical school, has left more than a hundred international students stranded—and Curaçao is now being called upon to investigate its potential involvement in the scandal. 

In a letter addressed to Curaçao’s Minister of Education Sithree van Heydoorn, one affected student outlined the dire situation facing former RGU students, many of whom had completed years of coursework and were preparing for clinical rotations in the United States. 

RGU, which operated administrative offices in Toronto and campuses in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, had announced an expansion to Curaçao in 2024. However, that move quickly unraveled amid allegations of financial mismanagement, false promises, and fraud. The university’s chancellor, reportedly responsible for the failed Curaçao expansion, is now believed to have fled to Dubai after being indicted in the U.S. for a $15 million healthcare fraud scheme in Chicago. 

“This is not just a failure of a school,” the student wrote, “it’s a human tragedy that has left over a hundred international students with very few options.” 

Many students, including the letter’s author, had completed the “Basic Science” phase of the program and were awaiting their transition to clinical rotations at Loretto Hospital in Chicago. But instead of moving forward, they are now facing a series of cascading issues: lost transcripts, demands to repay scholarship funds, blocked transfers to new institutions, and the sudden disappearance of university leadership. 

In an attached media release shared with the minister, students accuse RGU of systematic deception—collecting tuition while quietly shutting down campuses and issuing false assurances of transfers to “partner universities” that never existed. The letter pleads for support from Curaçao’s government, especially as the island was publicly presented as the university’s next academic hub. 

Curaçao’s Role in the Scandal 

In May 2024, RGU held a ribbon-cutting event in Willemstad, celebrating the “opening” of a new Curaçao campus. However, no classes were ever conducted on the island. Within months, the university claimed it had never officially relocated to Curaçao—a statement that contradicted earlier public announcements and official photos from the launch. 

The student’s letter raises critical questions about whether Curaçao’s institutions were misled, or if there were oversights in regulatory procedures that allowed RGU to claim a presence on the island. The government is now being urged to investigate its potential ties to the university and explore avenues to support affected students. 

Student Advocacy Grows 

The letter is part of a growing movement among students seeking justice and accountability. Many are calling for: 

Immediate access to transcripts and diplomas. 

Investigations into RGU’s leadership and partner institutions. 

Government support in transferring to new universities without penalty. 

Recognition of the academic work already completed under RGU. 

The student, who grew up in Toronto and studied in Saint Vincent for over a year, expressed readiness to share their story publicly, emphasizing the emotional and financial toll the ordeal has taken. 

“I was days away from starting 80 weeks of clinical rotations,” the letter states. “Now I’m facing barriers just to continue my education.” 

A Call for Action 

As international pressure mounts—including investigations in Saint Vincent, the United States, and possibly Canada—students are hoping Curaçao will not remain silent. With its name linked to RGU’s failed promises, local authorities are now being asked to demonstrate transparency and solidarity. 

Curacao Chronicle will continue to monitor developments as more information emerges about RGU’s operations and the students’ path toward restitution.