The Antigua and Barbuda College of Advanced Studies (ABCAS) hosted a virtual meeting on Friday, July 5, with students and parents of the institutions amalgamating under the new national tertiary framework.
The session was led by Dr. Jonah Greene, Deputy Director of Education and incoming President of ABCAS.
The meeting served as an important platform for stakeholders to receive key updates on the ongoing amalgamation of ABIIT, ASC, and ABHTI into the unified institution, ABCAS.
The Harrison Centre/ABICE will join as an affiliate campus in Phase 1, while the Glanvilles School of Agriculture is expected to be brought on stream within the academic year.
Dr. Greene shared the strategic vision behind this transition, emphasizing the expanded academic offerings, increased institutional capacity, and greater student support services that will emerge from this new structure.
She highlighted the breadth of courses, diverse student population, and improved access to shared facilities including the library, science laboratories, and student support services such as academic advising and counselling.
As part of the new ABCAS framework, campuses will be organized as follows: The Muriel O’Marde Campus (formerly ABHTI) will be offering programs in Hospitality Management, Culinary Arts, and other related disciplines; the Eustace Hill Campus (formerly ABIIT) – specializing in Business, Innovation and Information Technology. Most existing non-business and IT programmes will continue in the short term; and Sir Alister Francis Campus (formerly ASC): Offering Teacher Education, Liberal Arts, Industrial Technology, and new programs in Creative Industries and Science & Health Services.
Dr. Greene also addressed important academic and administrative updates, including the dress code at the Eustace Hill Campus (EHC).
Full-time students (enrolled in five–six courses) must wear the ABCAS-branded polo or t-shirt with black bottoms, while part-time students (fewer than five courses) will follow a business formal or business casual dress code.
ABIIT students taking fewer than five courses, but who will be graduating are included under the full-time dress policy.
In addition, the ABCAS will adopt a 4.3 GPA grading system, aligning with that of the University of the West Indies (UWI).
There will also be a lot of importance placed on examinations and quality assurance with a centralized examinations unit to ensure greater quality assurance and standardization across campuses. Finally, academic advising will be an integral part of the new structure.
There will be dedicated academic advisors who will support students in completing their respective programmes as smoothly as possible during this transition.
Included will be a change management counselor to support students and staff manipulate the changes anticipated.
The new academic semester will begin on Monday, September 8, 2025.
Students and parents are encouraged to stay informed through the websites, social media and other media posts to include the official ABCAS website, where presentation slides from the meeting will be posted.
ABCAS remains committed to fostering an inclusive, forward-thinking academic environment that prioritizes student development, institutional excellence, and national progress.