Antigua and Barbuda has secured 10 scholarships in entrepreneurship and e-business for local students following recent education talks in China, the government announced Thursday.

Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant said Education Minister Daryll Matthew obtained the scholarships during a visit to Hangzhou Normal University while attending a seminar in the People’s Republic of China.

Merchant said the scholarships were secured through the university’s Alibaba Business School and will be made available to Antiguans and Barbudans pursuing studies in entrepreneurship and digital business.

“He was able to secure 10 scholarships from the Alibaba Business School of that same university for Antiguans and Barbudans, particularly in entrepreneurship and e-business,” Merchant said during the post-Cabinet briefing.

The announcement comes as the government continues to expand educational opportunities locally and internationally, including through the University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus and other overseas partnerships.

Merchant also revealed that discussions are ongoing between Antigua and Barbuda and Hangzhou Normal University on a broader memorandum of understanding that could provide additional educational assistance, including opportunities for master’s degree and MBA programmes.

He noted that the Chinese university already shares a close relationship with Antigua and Barbuda following Prime Minister Gaston Browne’s 2025 visit, during which Browne received an honorary professorship from the institution.