Students attending the St. Helen University were yesterday informed that the university’s only campus in Vieux Fort has been forced to close its doors, due to some alleged financial issues.
The announcement was made by President of the university, Professor Daizal Samad. Professor Samad confirmed this with St. Lucia News Online (SNO) today.
The professor said that the closure was “a long way coming.”
However, Professor Samada told SNO, “My number one priority was to make sure that the students are fine and taken care of.”
The university president did not provide any further details regarding the issue, but sources have said that the closure is permanent.
A source told SNO that students have been immediately transferred to the Atlantic University located in Gros Islet. Students are expected to start classes there on Monday.
The source said that the students credits will be transferred as well. However, the announcement has caused some discomfort among students attending the university.
Reports are that some of the students have already paid rent for the month of November and will not be able to relocate immediately to Gros Islet, which is closer to the Atlantic University.
The current enrollment at the university is 31. The students were enrolled in programmes such as: pre-medicine, medicine and nursing.
Students who attended the St. Helen University comes from St. Lucia, Guyana, Nigeria and Canada.