Aruba’s Knowledge Economy is expanding with key companies that present access to high-quality and specialized information. Several subsectors exist within Aruba’s Knowledge Economy, including Renewable Energy (chosen for Aruba’s commitment to a sustainable future) and Information and Communication Tech (chosen to drive Aruba’s e-government initiatives).
Regardless of industry, Aruba is focused on becoming a hub for efficient systems that can be replicated throughout the world’s markets.
FAST FACTS
RENEWABLE ENERGY
To attract economic activity and further job creation in this subsector, the Government of Aruba offers a clear vision for sustainable energy generation, the use of renewables, energy distribution and energy efficiency. Already underway in Aruba, this subsector includes the use of solar panels, wind turbines, and other innovative technologies. Businesses with specialized knowledge are needed in Aruba to help to expand localized development, encourage more extensive use of the right solar panels, and educate sustainable enterprises on most effective wind turbines for the island’s climate.
HIGHER EDUCATION FOR EXPORT
The global education market continues to expand, and the development of massive open online courses and other forms of blended learning offers new opportunities for Aruba. The University of Aruba (UA) collaborates with several international universities to create a blended learning opportunity with international accreditation on the island. This allows international students to not only study on the island, but also in their home country. Aruba is focused on attracting business investments to partner with UA and other renowned knowledge institutions to grow virtual learning, research and innovation opportunities in higher education, especially in Sustainable Island Solutions Science Technology Engineering and Math (SISSTEM).
INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECH (ICT) ISLAND BASED SOLUTIONS AS EXPORT
Innovative technology businesses (Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, Cloud, and Data services) receive strong support in Aruba to create and apply new solutions for e-commerce and other productivity toolsets on the island and regionally including a shared electronic communication platform in the maritime and port sector. The Government of Aruba is also taking steps to provide public services through e-government, which opens new opportunities for more business initiatives in the ICT sector. The knowledge acquired from this process can be an export product for small island states.
SUSTAINABLE ISLAND SOLUTIONS SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY ENGINEERING AND MATH (SISSTEM)
One of the first initiatives of Aruba’s Knowledge Economy began in 2019 with the development of the Sustainable Island Solutions through Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (SISSTEM) bachelor program at the University of Aruba (UA). The SISSTEM program attracts students from Aruba and the entire region, providing research skills in sustainable energy, bio-environmental awareness, sustainable technology, engineering, informatics, and data sciences. Besides a bachelor’s program, SISSTEM provides a multidisciplinary master’s program and Ph.D. projects for sustainable development in small island states. The Government of Aruba welcomes additional organizations interested in partnering with UA for Sustainable Island Solutions.
Specialists in Efficiency
Businesses and organizations in Aruba are building a knowledge economy that will be replicable around the world.
