Approximately 130 students have already enrolled in the University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus' new law degree programme, Prime Minister Gaston Browne announced Saturday. According to Antigua News Room, Browne cited the strong response as evidence of growing demand for tertiary education in Antigua and Barbuda.
Speaking on his weekly radio programme, Browne said interest in the new offering has exceeded initial expectations and may require the university to reassess its capacity and funding requirements.
"I am told we have about 130 people already signed up for the law programme," Browne said.
The prime minister described the applicant numbers as significant for a newly launched programme and warned that such demand could place pressure on available space and resources at the campus.
Browne acknowledged that the government remains committed to expanding educational opportunities, but noted that growth carries additional financial costs. The administration currently subsidises higher education for Antiguan and Barbudan students, making university studies more accessible while placing a substantial burden on the public purse.
He used the discussion to highlight the broader challenge of funding tertiary education as enrolment at the Five Islands Campus continues to climb. The government is investing heavily in the institution, he said, but indicated that additional funding mechanisms may be necessary in the future.
Among the options under consideration is the possibility of requiring highly profitable companies to contribute more directly to education financing. Browne referenced the existing windfall tax imposed on commercial banks and suggested the principle could potentially be extended to other businesses generating substantial profits.
"I believe that those companies that are making significant profits should make a contribution towards education," Browne said, arguing that businesses benefit from a skilled workforce and therefore have a vested interest in ensuring educational institutions are adequately funded.
The law degree programme is one of the newest additions to the academic catalogue at the Five Islands Campus, which has expanded rapidly since opening in 2019. Government figures show enrolment has grown from fewer than 350 students in the campus' early years to nearly 2,000 students today.
The government has also announced plans for a major expansion that will include new academic facilities, student housing, and supporting infrastructure.
Browne said the popularity of the law programme underscores the value of offering professional education locally, allowing students to pursue legal studies without travelling abroad. He added that the continued growth of UWI Five Islands remains central to the government's broader vision of positioning Antigua and Barbuda as a regional hub for higher education.
The prime minister's remarks came as the government continues to explore long-term funding strategies for tertiary education while advancing plans for the next phase of development at the Five Islands Campus.
