Expansion work on the Five Islands Campus of the University of the West Indies is moving ahead with discussions held this week between the government and members of the Saudi Fund Development team

In January, the government of Saudi Arabia approved an US$80 M loan to the government for expansion work on the university

On Monday, Education Minister Daryll Matthew met with members of Saudi Arabia to strategize plans for the expansion and development of the university

“The discussions on the agenda covered various aspects such as the engagement of a local consultant, the design phases of the project which addresses the immediate need for necessary buildings to be constructed, the procurement process for various packages associated with the project and the construction of new facilities such as dormitories on the university campus,” according to a press statement from the government

The benefit of the discussions, according to the statement, will also help to address the immediate need for the development of a new Five Islands Primary School.

It will also support the employment of local subcontractors along with relatively similar classes of workers in this development and generate new streams of income to assist in enhancing Antigua and Barbuda’s academic endeavors.

“Additionally, mutually agreed timelines for the phase of the project were discussed and agreed upon by the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) Team and the Government of Antigua and Barbuda,” the statement added