The Antigua and Barbuda government has announced a EC$300 million expansion plan for the University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus, framing the investment as a cornerstone of what officials are calling an education renaissance. According to Antigua.news, the announcement was made during Tuesday's Throne Speech, delivered by Governor General Sir Rodney Williams.
Sir Rodney highlighted that the Five Islands Campus has exceeded expectations since its opening four years ago. The institution has grown from fewer than 350 students at launch to nearly 2,000 students today — a remarkable expansion in a short period. The campus already offers master's degree programmes, with PhD programmes planned for the future.
The EC$300 million project is expected to extend beyond the university itself. Plans include the construction of new primary and secondary schools to serve the broader Five Islands community, signalling a wider commitment to education infrastructure in the area.
Among the most significant pledges outlined in the Throne Speech was the government's stated intention to eventually make tertiary education at UWI tuition-free for Antiguan and Barbudan citizens, a move the administration has tied to its vision for long-term national development.
Education Minister Daryll Matthew was praised in the Throne Speech for his leadership and commitment to expanding educational opportunities for young people across the country.
