Plans to expand the University of the West Indies (UWI) Five Islands Campus are progressing, with the government confirming that surrounding privately owned lands are close to being acquired for the next phase of development.

Chief of Staff Ambassador Lionel Hurst said during the post-Cabinet media briefing that the government is in the final stages of securing the necessary land.

“Surrounding lands that were privately owned are just about ready to be purchased by the government of Antigua and Barbuda,” Hurst said.

Once acquired, the lands will be transferred to the UWI to facilitate expansion, which includes additional classrooms, student residences, and enhancements to the campus landscape.

Hurst explained that the government has already secured funding for the initiative:

“We also have borrowed, as you know, $80 million—$86 million—from the Saudi Fund for Development.”

He said that priority will be given to constructing the new Five Islands Primary School, which will occupy part of the land currently in use and allow for a more spacious, purpose-built facility.

“Our expectation is that we’ll spend first on building the primary school, then on expansion of residence as well as classrooms,” he added.

The long-term aim, Hurst said, is to ensure that the Five Islands Campus evolves into a vibrant educational centre.

“We want to make it a very attractive place so that students can readily identify with it as a place of greatness.”

No official timeline was given for the start of construction on the expanded facilities.