Aruba: Xavier University, Aruba welcomed His Excellency Alfonso Boekhoudt, Governor of Aruba and representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, for an official visit to its campus on March 23, 2026.
The Governor was received by Chief Academic Officer Dr. Arun Dubey, alongside senior academic leadership including Dr. Kevin Pawlak, Dean of Pre-Health Sciences, Dr. Prasad Vijayashankar, Dean of Basic Sciences, Bonnie McGowan, Dean of Nursing, and Dr. Ravindra Veeranna, Dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine. The visit marked an important opportunity to showcase the University’s continued growth, academic excellence, and long-term investment in Aruba’s educational infrastructure.
During the visit, His Excellency was given a comprehensive tour of Xavier’s residential campus, where he engaged with leadership and observed the integrated student living and learning environment. The Governor expressed strong appreciation for the University’s commitment to creating a supportive and high-quality academic setting for students from around the world.
The tour continued with a visit to Xavier’s new academic facility currently under construction on the same campus grounds. The state-of-the-art building, spanning over 130,000 square feet, is scheduled to open for classes in September 2026. Designed to support expanded enrollment and new academic programs, the facility represents a significant milestone in the University’s long-term development plan.
His Excellency conveyed that he was highly impressed by the scale, quality, and vision of the new development. He noted that the project stands as a meaningful investment in Aruba’s future and will serve as a valuable asset to the island’s educational and professional landscape. The Governor also expressed his support, as the representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, for the continued growth and success of the institution.
“We are deeply honored by the Governor’s visit and his encouraging words,” said Dr. Arun Dubey. “This recognition reinforces our mission to provide world-class education while contributing to the development of Aruba as a hub for health sciences and higher education.”
