Work on the much-anticipated expansion of the University of the West Indies (UWI) Five Islands Campus is expected to get underway in the first quarter of 2026, Prime Minister Gaston Browne has announced.
According to Browne, architectural drawings have already been completed, and financing for the project has been secured through a $200 million commitment from the Saudi government.
The expansion is expected to significantly increase the campus’s capacity and facilities, strengthening Antigua and Barbuda’s role as a regional hub for higher education.
“Next month we will have the final drawings and the first quarter of next year we will start the expansion…these large projects take some time to prepare the concept drawings…They should be going to tender soon…we will be catering for more or less than 5000 students”, Browne said last night.
The announcement comes on the heels of last week’s matriculation ceremony, where about 500 new students were officially welcomed to the Five Islands Campus.
This marks another year of steady growth for the university, which has become a key part of the nation’s educational and economic development strategy.
The government says the expansion project will not only benefit students but also generate employment during construction and create new opportunities for research, innovation, and regional partnerships once completed.
Browne emphasized that the investment underscores his administration’s vision of positioning Antigua and Barbuda as a “center of excellence in education” for the Eastern Caribbean.
The best thing that ever happened to Antigua and Barbuda . Congratulations PM Browne
Visionary leadership matters.
This shows real commitment to the future. Our children and grandchildren will thank us for building a world-class university right here at home.
This is a game-changer for Antigua and Barbuda. Education is the best investment, and seeing UWI Five Islands expand into a true regional hub makes me proud.
Finally! The campus expansion is much needed. More classrooms, labs, and facilities will help accommodate the growing student population.
I’m glad the government is putting education at the forefront. The Five Islands Campus is one of the best things to happen to Antigua and Barbuda in decades.
Five years ago this was just a dream, and now look at where we are heading. A $200M expansion will transform opportunities for young people in this country.
What the bread and cheese. I thought the project had already started. Ohhh kayyyy looking forward to the transformation
Congratulations to the leadership team for securing the funding. This expansion will help thousands of young people from across the region.
Excellent news! Not only will more students get access to higher education, but this will also bring jobs and research opportunities for locals.