The Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda has agreed to a plan to consolidate several state-owned tertiary institutions under a single university framework, to be named the University of Antigua and Barbuda College of Advanced Studies (UABCAS).

The move is expected to streamline operations, reduce costs, and introduce a modernised curriculum built around artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies.

Institutions slated for merger under UABCAS include the Antigua State College, the Antigua and Barbuda Hospitality Training Institute, and the Antigua and Barbuda International Institute of Technology (ABIIT). The Five Islands Campus of the University of the West Indies (UWI), while remaining autonomous, is also expected to collaborate with the new university.

Speaking at the post-Cabinet briefing, government officials said the goal is to create a “more efficient and competitive” higher education system that prepares students for the evolving demands of the workforce.

A task force will be established to develop a transition plan over the next several months, with implementation expected to begin within the 2025 academic year.

The consolidated institution will focus on delivering advanced technical and vocational education, including programmes in cybersecurity, software development, AI-driven data analysis, and tourism management. The government also hinted at potential partnerships with international universities and private sector firms to enhance programme delivery and internship opportunities.

Officials said the restructuring would also reduce duplication of administrative services across campuses and enable better use of physical and financial resources.

The Cabinet emphasised that students currently enrolled in the existing institutions will not be adversely affected by the changes and will be able to complete their programmes without disruption.

The move comes amid a broader push to modernise education and improve employment outcomes for young people in Antigua and Barbuda.