DAILY OBSERVER: Prime Minister Gaston Browne and other government officials have welcomed a new university that will facilitate medical studies in Antigua and Barbuda.
The ribbon cutting ceremony for the Western Imperial Medical University took place on Thursday at Crabb’s Peninsula where the YIDA Special Economic Zone (SEZ) is located.
Browne, in his remarks during the opening ceremony, said that major educational institutions such as this one will make a positive impact on Antigua and Barbuda’s economy.
“We had long set a vision to establish Antigua and Barbuda as the financial and educational center of the Caribbean. We knew therefore that we had to attract more businesses within the financial sector as well as more universities. Certainly, within the past few years, we would have attracted three medical schools, we know that one established medical school has about 1,500 students and those medical students make a contribution towards the socioeconomic development of our country. In fact, it is estimated that the university contributes around five percent of our GDP,” PM Browne shared.
Browne highlighted the severe challenges to the economy as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and said this move is a part of diversification efforts.
“Countries like Antigua and Barbuda who were previously dependent on tourism, Covid would have taught us a lesson to diversify our tourism product and at the same time to pursue broader diversification of our economy.”
Minister of Education Daryll Matthew expressed that he felt privileged as he delivered his speech during the opening ceremony. Matthew believes that this “historic” occasion will deliver high quality education to the country’s people, provide great economic development and will make Antigua and Barbuda stand out as an academic center of excellence.
“Any institution which enhances the educational landscape of any country can only be celebrated. When we have persons who express an interest in establishing an institution of higher learning, an institution that adds to our already growing cohort of universities here in Antigua and Barbuda, it is certainly one to be celebrated,” the Education Minister said.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Browne announced that more investment will be streamlined into Antigua and Barbuda. It is called the Western Imperial Special Economic Zone (WISEZ). This will be facilitated by CEO of Western Imperial Capital Limited Vijender Singh and managed by Charit Mathur, Director of Western Capital Limited. Mathur told media that this development is a separate undertaking from the YIDA SEZ, as an MoU was signed by Yida Zhang and Virjender Singh to establish the development about six months ago.
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The word on the street is that you intend to clear out all the people that look like you out of Five Islands and put them in your housing project in Bay Street and Painters, and make down there a university city. The word on the street is that it is a done deal.
I don’t believe it, because I do not think you are that ‘not right in the head’. But I got it from good sources – schoolchildren.
Schoolchildren say to tell you that if that is your plan, draw back instantly, because this is the one time when all hell will break loose.
PS: A word to the wise is sufficient
Damn arse
most of the people that go to UWI Five island are black people from Antigua and other Caribbean countries.
I could swear on the last night’s ABS news broadcast I heard them say something about these people getting 500 acres of land from Five Islands to Jennings. Did I hear correct?
Every educational Institution should be welcomed. The key is to maintain Quality and contribute to the upliftment of the society and the country
Damn arse
most of the people that go to UWI Five island are black people from Antigua and other Caribbean countries.
“Western Imperial” for true!? They don’t even try to hide their colonial intentions when they put it in the name…. Please advise how this will benefit our economy and people when these institutions will be set up in their “Special Economic Zones” and contribute exactly ZERO dollars in duties, income, corporate, property or any other tax? They will be able to freely import labour and have no requirements for local hiring, meaning that not even a few mediocre jobs are guaranteed. Add to that the displacement of local people and the ecological destruction and we have the perfect storm of 21st century imperialism. We cannot roll over and allow these foreign corporate interests to continue buying out our island and lining the politrickian’s pockets while our people and environment suffer. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!
And this place is what precisely? Where are their target students from? Is it ‘in Antigua’ or in ‘yida China’?
Check their website for the strangest writing…
Allusions to connectivity with Imperial College London, a highly reputable, long-established University – which seems a big stretch.
https://wimed.org/
“Western Imperial Medical University, the Imperial College in UK intellectual environment inspires our students and staff a beautiful Caribbean island country in North America. Established with a vision to deliver quality medical education and facilitate medical aspirants excel in medicine, clinical practice, research, and patient care, WIMU has now become a modern and innovative medical university in the Caribbean. Thanks to the University’s dedication and continual efforts to deliver the best in medicine, WIMU is recognized by the Ministry of Education and currently in the process of attaining accreditation from the Barbados Accreditation Council. The institution is recognized by the Medical Council of India, registered in FAIMER and listed in WDOMS.”
More lies. More foreign investors. More shams! Wake up, Antigua! When we gonna make our way in da world without these middle easterners running over us? Never, at least as long as they have the money, they have da power with this government.
I’m all for development, but something doesn’t smell quite right. Just how does this help the economy of Antigua???? Do the profits all go to India or China?
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