Prime Minister Gaston Browne says The University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus in Antigua and Barbuda could grow to about 5,000 students within five years, supported by a major expansion that could begin by early 2027.

Browne said the development would provide student accommodation, improved facilities and additional capacity to attract students from across the Caribbean.

“I can see us getting up within the next five years to five thousand students easily,” he said during his radio programme.

The prime minister referred to an investment of approximately $200 million but did not clearly identify the currency in the passage.

He said an issue affecting the tender process had been resolved and that an announcement about the successful bids could follow shortly.

Construction could begin before the end of 2026, he said, or during January or February 2027.

Browne predicted that the expanded campus would become a leading choice within the UWI system, strengthening Antigua and Barbuda’s educational offerings and its ability to attract regional students.

He also said spending on construction would contribute to economic activity.

The 5,000-student figure represents Browne’s expectation for the campus’s growth, rather than a confirmed enrolment forecast from the university.

Browne urged Antiguans and Barbudans to take advantage of the educational opportunities being created and prepare for an increasingly competitive regional employment market.

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: PM says UWI Five Islands could reach 5,000 students within five years.