Work on the long-awaited expansion of the University of the West Indies (UWI) Five Islands Campus is set to start in the first quarter of 2026, Prime Minister Gaston Browne has confirmed.
He said architectural plans are complete and funding has been secured through a $200m commitment from Saudi Arabia. The project will expand the campus to accommodate around 5,000 students, significantly boosting Antigua and Barbuda’s role as a regional hub for higher education.
The announcement follows last week’s matriculation ceremony, which welcomed 500 new students. Officials say the development will create jobs during construction and strengthen opportunities for research, innovation, and regional partnerships.
Browne described the investment as part of his administration’s goal to establish Antigua and Barbuda as a “centre of excellence in education” for the Eastern Caribbean.
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The best thing that ever happened to Antigua and Barbuda . Congratulations PM Browne
Visionary leadership matters.
As a citizen, I am proud of what the UWI Five Islands Campus represents for Antigua and Barbuda. Since 2019, we have been given a tremendous opportunity—not only to expand higher education, but to transform Five Islands into a hub of innovation and economic activity.
By now, forward-thinking leaders could have already developed housing, businesses, and infrastructure to support students and locals alike.
This campus should not stand alone in isolation—it should become the heart of a vibrant city, with opportunities for entrepreneurship, research, cultural expression, and sustainable living. With the new $200m expansion, let’s ensure this vision becomes reality, so Five Islands grows into more than a school, but into an economic powerhouse for Antigua and the region.
Natasha B.
Additionally, I welcome the news of the $200m expansion of UWI Five Islands Campus, but as citizens, we must ask critical questions. We are told the money is coming from Saudi Arabia—but who exactly are the investors? Which fund, which institution, which individuals? Have we done our due diligence on where this money comes from and what conditions are attached?
Too often, deals are signed in our name without us being part of the conversation. Why don’t we ever get asked what we think? We can be part of accountability—naming, researching, and questioning the investors ourselves. The people may catch things our leaders missed.
Are we a nation of degrees but still treated as if we are dumb? How can you educate a people yet not want their input on decisions that affect their future? If UWI Five Islands is to become a true hub of excellence, it must also become a hub of public accountability, transparency, and shared vision.
As a citizen, I am proud of what the UWI Five Islands Campus represents for Antigua and Barbuda. Since 2019, we have been given a tremendous opportunity—not only to expand higher education, but to transform Five Islands into a hub of innovation and economic activity. By now, forward-thinking leaders could have already developed housing, businesses, and infrastructure to support students and locals alike. This campus should not stand alone in isolation—it should become the heart of a vibrant city, with opportunities for entrepreneurship, research, cultural expression, and sustainable living. With the new $200m expansion, let’s ensure this vision becomes reality, so Five Islands grows into more than a school, but into an economic powerhouse for Antigua and the region.