WILLEMSTAD, ORANJESTAD – The Dutch student finance agency Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs (DUO) is expanding its services in the Caribbean, introducing new video call support through its Curaçao service office and extending its student preparation e-learning program to Aruba.
The expanded services are aimed at making access to information and support easier for students and former students across the Dutch Caribbean who are preparing to study in the Netherlands or managing their student finance obligations.
Since this month, students and former students can schedule video appointments directly with DUO staff through the agency’s service office in Curaçao.
While video support has existed since the COVID-19 period, those appointments were previously handled by DUO staff in the Netherlands.
Because of the time difference, that often meant limited appointment availability and less flexibility for Caribbean-based students.
With the new Curaçao-based video service, that time barrier has been removed.
DUO says students can now more easily contact staff about matters such as student finance, repayment of student loans and administrative questions related to studying abroad.
The service is available not only to students in Curaçao, but also to residents of Aruba, Sint Maarten and the islands of Caribbean Netherlands, including Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba.
Students on Curaçao who are unable to visit the office in person can also use the service.
Appointments can be booked online.
In addition to improving direct support, DUO is also strengthening its digital preparation programs for students planning to move to the Netherlands for higher education.
Earlier this school year, more than 500 students in Curaçao participated in DUO’s e-learning program, which provides practical information about studying and living in the Netherlands.
The online course covers key topics including student finance, health insurance, housing and personal financial management.
According to DUO, the program helps students better understand what to expect and prepares them for the transition to life abroad.
Following positive feedback and participation results in Curaçao, DUO is now expanding the program to schools in Aruba.
Among the first schools participating are Colegio Nigel Matthew and De Schakel Aruba.
DUO says it is also exploring the possibility of rolling out the e-learning program to more schools across the Caribbean region.
The agency operates on behalf of the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science and is responsible for student finance, educational funding and diploma recognition.
The expanded services reflect growing efforts to support Caribbean students more directly as increasing numbers continue pursuing education opportunities in the Netherlands.