By Aabigayle McIntosh

KS&P Limited, an engineering consultancy based in Trinidad, has been awarded the contract to lead the design and supervision phase of the University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus (UWIFIC) expansion, in collaboration with stakeholders and community members.

The expansion plan includes the construction of several facilities, such as dormitories and other amenities. The newest UWI campus is being funded by an $80 million loan from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The announcement was made on Wednesday, with Education Minister Daryll Matthew in attendance.

Minister Matthew emphasized that the expansion will be pivotal in establishing UWIFIC as a leading hub for academic and research excellence in the Caribbean.

He stated, “We have an opportunity now, ladies and gentlemen, to build and design a modern, purpose-built university campus. Even though we are here some 18 months later, and despite frustrations expressed over the absence of visible construction activity, I believe we have made significant advances.”

Lead consultant of KS&P Limited Darren Sirju expressed gratitude on behalf of the company reinforcing a commitment to academic growth and excellence in the Caribbean.

“We’re very happy to be here and all of the members as you can see are very well represented here and that shows our eagerness to be able to deliver a project which satisfies all of the requirements and is of the best value for Antigua and the Antiguan people. So, thank you for that and we look forward to a very successful and collaborative project,” Sirju said.

Project Coordinator for the Project Implementation Unit at UWI Colin John Jenkins encourages the community to be patient as the Five Islands Campus expansion plan progresses.

He emphasizes that while the development may take time it will ultimately have a significant and enduring impact on the educational landscape of the nation.

“Projects of this magnitude ladies and gentlemen take time and so we would urge the persons involved and as well the community and the society of Antigua and Barbuda to be patient but be rest assured that the team is working as hard as it can but as efficiently. This development promises to contribute significantly to academic facilities while creating new opportunities for both faculty and students contributing to the growth of education within our region,” he said.