Eight health professionals became the first graduates of the Master of Public Health programme at The University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus on Saturday 10 October 2026, when the campus held its second ceremony for graduates including those from the School of Health & Behavioural Sciences.
The graduates who completed the programme in two years are seven registered nurse-midwives and one medical doctor. Fifteen students are initially enrolled at the start 2024/2025 academic year.
Professor C. Justin Robinson, Pro Vice-chancellor and campus principal of The UWI Five Islands Campus, said: ‘We congratulate the inaugural cohort of MPH Graduates. As we confront the Triple C Crisis in our region, equipping our health professionals with the knowledge and practice to help build and strengthen the infrastructure in our twin island state and across the subregion is critical.’ He noted that the programme is part of the wider strategy to help build capacity in key areas in the OECS such as the health sector.
The graduates are Tanasha Roberts, Chelle Thomas-Humphrey, Miasha John-Carr, Roselia Carriere-Joseph, Elaine Davis, Joyann Richardson-Fiedtkou, Nollareen Andrew-Richards and Dr. Jonathan McComie. Seven of the graduates received scholarships from the Government of Antigua and Barbuda along with support from the Ministry of Health, Wellness, the Environment and Civil Service Affairs.
Former health minister Sir Molwyn Joseph attended the ceremony and said the Ministry’s support for the programme, and the discussions that led to its addition to the offerings at The UWI Five Islands Campus during his tenure, were part of capacity building in the health sector.
Graduates began their postgraduate studies in September 2024. At the time, they were already serving their communities as nurse-midwives and as a medical officer. Many described fitting coursework around shifts, long hours and the demands of patient care. Several were raising children while studying late at night, early in the morning or on weekends. The graduates stated that illness, exhaustion and self-doubt tested their group at times, and that they leaned on one another through demanding semesters, tight deadlines and the research project.
The School of Health and Behavioural Sciences continues to expand its postgraduate offerings at The UWI Five Islands. It also offers the Master of Science in Non-Communicable Disease Management. These programmes are designed to help meet the needs of the region and build capacity in key areas.
Photo caption:
The first Master of Public Health graduates of the School of Health and Behavioural Sciences, The UWI Five Islands Campus, with their degree scrolls on Saturday, October 10, 2026.
The UWI Five Islands, established in 2019 as the fifth campus of The University of the West Indies, represents a significant milestone in Caribbean higher education. Located in the twin-island nation of Antigua and Barbuda, this institution brings world-class education to the heart of the Caribbean.
As part of The University of the West Indies system, which has been consistently ranked among the best universities in the world by the prestigious Times Higher Education (THE), The UWI Five Islands upholds the same standards of academic excellence that have made The UWI a beacon of educational achievement in the region.
The campus offers a comprehensive range of over 45 degree programmes spanning both undergraduate and postgraduate levels across four distinguished schools: School of Humanities and Education, School of Business and Management, School of Health and Behavioural Sciences, School of Science, Computing and Artificial Intelligence.
The campus is also proud to house The Centre of Excellence for Oceanography and the Blue Economy (COBE), reflecting the institution’s commitment to marine science research and sustainable ocean-based economic development—critical areas for Caribbean nations.
This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: The UWI Five Islands graduates first Master of Public Health class.