WILLEMSTAD – Eight participants of Defensity College Carib were officially promoted to corporal during a festive ceremony held on May 13, marking another milestone for the military work-study program launched in Curaçao in 2024.
The students, who are in their second and third year of the program, recently completed their military training and will soon begin assignments at various departments within the Dutch Ministry of Defense, where they will combine their academic studies with practical work experience.
The ceremony took place in the presence of the Governor of Curaçao, highlighting the growing importance of the initiative within the Kingdom.
Defensity College Carib was introduced as a pilot project in Curaçao in May 2024. The program offers university students the opportunity to combine their studies with hands-on experience within the Dutch defense organization.
Each year, a new group of students starts the program in April and can participate for a maximum period of three years. Participants begin with an intensive two-week military training program before being assigned to positions where they can apply their academic knowledge and local expertise within the defense structure.
During the work-study trajectory, students also participate in various military exercises, training sessions, and professional development activities aimed at strengthening their personal, professional, and military skills.
With the arrival of the newest cohort, a total of 21 students from different academic disciplines at the University of Curaçao are now active within the military work-study program.
According to the organizers, Defensity College Carib aims to invest in local talent by giving motivated students a unique opportunity to combine higher education with work experience at the Ministry of Defense.