The Antigua and Barbuda National Accreditation Board (ABNAB) marked its 20th anniversary on Saturday with a gala celebration recognising two decades of promoting quality assurance and safeguarding standards in higher education. According to Antigua News Room, the milestone event was held at Admiral Lord Nelson's Ballroom at Sandals Grande Antigua Resort, bringing together government officials, board members, educators and stakeholders to reflect on the Board's contributions to the country's education system since its founding.
Board Chairman Clare Browne used the occasion to honour the dedication of current and former board members and staff, crediting their work with building confidence in Antigua and Barbuda's higher education sector.
"Quality assurance is a continuous cultivation of a culture of excellence," Browne told attendees. He stressed that the Board's mandate reaches well beyond regulatory oversight. "Quality assurance transcends bureaucracy and compliance. It is about nurturing excellence, strengthening institutions, protecting students, and ensuring that education remains a powerful instrument of national transformation."
Education Minister Daryll Matthew commended ABNAB for maintaining rigorous standards across tertiary institutions and academic programmes. He described accreditation as increasingly critical as more Antiguans and Barbudans pursue higher education both locally and abroad.
Matthew noted that accreditation assures students and employers alike that qualifications meet internationally recognised benchmarks, reinforcing employer confidence in graduates while protecting the integrity and value of academic credentials.
The Education Minister also called on students, parents and educational institutions to make greater use of ABNAB's services, emphasising that a strong accreditation framework benefits society broadly by ensuring graduates hold qualifications respected both nationally and internationally.
The anniversary gala served as both a celebration of ABNAB's achievements over the past 20 years and a reaffirmation of its ongoing commitment to advancing educational excellence and protecting the interests of students across Antigua and Barbuda.
