The academic year from August 2023 to July 2024 was transformative for The UWI Five Islands Campus (FIC), marked by significant advancements in leadership, infrastructure, partnerships, research and student engagement.

The induction of the new campus principal, Professor Justin Robinson, in January 2024 was a pivotal moment. Held at the SJPC House of Restoration Ministries, the principal’s induction ceremony was attended by the governor general, senior government officials and The UWI’s executive management team. The event, broadcast via UWItv and ABS TV, drew widespread praise from viewers across the Eastern Caribbean, underscoring its importance to the community and the wider region.

The Campus Master Plan was updated in September 2023 with the support of the government of Antigua and Barbuda, marking a significant step toward the Phase 1 Campus Expansion Project. Design consultants were retained, and government representatives remained actively engaged to advance the project. Infrastructure improvements included establishing a medical station in May 2024 through collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment. Staffed with two nurses covering daytime and evening shifts, the station enhanced campus health services. Additionally, an accessibility ramp was constructed, ensuring greater inclusivity by providing easier access to the main teaching blocks.

Student Achievements and Academic Excellence

Students from the School of Science, Computing and Artificial Intelligence (SoSCAI) demonstrated exceptional talent on the international stage. In October 2023, they participated in the second round of the ICPC Global Coding Contest’s Latin America and Caribbean qualifier, showcasing remarkable determination. The team CipherSpace emerged victorious at the Antigua site, earning a spot in the Latin America Championship Finals in March 2024. First-year student Ajante Fraser also secured gold in the Level 2 Disaster Ready Caribbean Computer Coding Olympiad and, alongside teammates, won silver in Level 3 with their app ‘PennyWise’.

This innovative financial literacy app doubled as an e-marketplace for businesses and individuals across the region.

In October 2023, FIC hosted its annual Open House, welcoming over 500 students from 13 secondary schools. The event successfully converted many prospective students into applicants, reflecting the Campus’s growing reputation. Furthering its mandate to provide quality education, FIC renewed its MOU with Harvard Business School Online Unit in December 2023, allowing residents of Antigua and Barbuda and the wider OECS region to access world-class learning opportunities through the Campus’s Life-long Learning Unit.

Aerial view of the UWI Five Islands Campus

Partnerships And Collaborations

The Campus’s partnership portfolio expanded with several key agreements. In October 2023, a significant MOU was signed with the Ministry of Trade, formalising a partnership with the Antigua and Barbuda Small Business Development Centre (ABSBDC). This collaboration aims to foster entrepreneurship and small business development within the region. In February 2024, FIC partnered with the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) to enhance capacity in mathematics education through open educational resources (OER). This agreement will support regional efforts to improve mathematics literacy and educational outcomes.

January 2024 also marked the Campus’ reaffirmation of its partnership with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Ambassador Abdullah Muhammad Alsaihani’s visit further solidified the relationship. High Commissioner of India Dr. Amit Telang also visited the Campus to discuss economic and technical cooperation opportunities. February 2024 saw Dean Professor Silvia Kouwenberg of UWI Mona deliver an insightful public lecture on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4: “Quality Education for All.” Her discussion on regional inequalities hindering potential fulfilment provided valuable insights to attendees and aligned with FIC’s strategic objectives.

In April 2024, the Campus also secured a US $250,000 grant from the International Seabed Authority for work led by its Centre for Excellence for Oceanography and the Blue Economy.

Research, Innovation And Conferences

FIC’s research initiatives flourished during this period, with faculty members making significant contributions. In December 2023, Dr. Ilenius Ildephonce and Dr. Edward Dixon, alongside colleagues from UWI Mona, presented a progress report on their “Sargassum Tracer Simulator” project to the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank. Their findings highlighted the value of tracking and managing sargassum seaweed, a critical regional environmental issue.

In June 2024, the Campus launched its Centre for Excellence for Oceanography and the Blue Economy (COBE). Although formally launched in June, COBE had been actively engaged in regional advocacy earlier in the year, hosting a public series in collaboration with the Japan Fisheries Agency and the Embassy of Japan in Trinidad and Tobago. The series focused on sustainable fisheries development and governance, positioning COBE as a key player in OECS’s blue economy initiatives.

In July 2024, FIC hosted its inaugural AI Conference, a landmark event featuring participants from MIT, Harvard, IBM, META/Facebook, Google, Microsoft, and the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH). The conference explored AI’s role in addressing climate change, food security, tourism innovations, and smart cities. Sessions also examined generative AI’s potential in Caribbean culture, music, and arts. The event was hailed as a tremendous success and further positioned FIC as a hub for digital transformation.

Operational Efficiencies and Campus Modernisation

FIC’s efforts to modernise its technological infrastructure culminated with the Ellucian Mission in July 2024. This initiative, aimed at creating a unified ERP platform across all UWI campuses, began with diagnostic sessions led by the University Registrar and FIC’s campus principal. The sessions engaged campus principals and key officers to identify operational challenges and explore opportunities for process improvement. Agreements were reached to conduct comprehensive campus audits, which will inform the design of the One-UWI interconnected ERP platform, targeted for deployment by 2026.

In June 2024, FIC signed an agreement with Ellucian to implement its Banner SaaS system, ensuring integration with other UWI campuses as part of the broader One-UWI project. A one-day session with Ellucian and a cross-section of campus staff provided valuable insights into global best practices for operational efficiencies. Data from the session is now being used to guide the system’s rollout. Ellucian also pledged scholarships for UWI students and ongoing consulting support throughout the project’s diagnostic phase.

Community Engagement and Student Development

FIC’s commitment to holistic student development and community engagement was evident in hosting its first-ever Job Fair in April 2024. The event introduced students to potential employers and provided valuable insights into the world of work. A wellness expo was also held, which attracted community members and showcased FIC’s dedication to promoting health and well-being.

These activities and achievements reflect the UWI Five Islands Campus’s unwavering commitment to academic excellence, research, innovation and community service. As the Campus continues its upward trajectory, it remains a beacon of educational opportunity and regional development within the OECS. The strides made over the past year exemplify the transformative power of partnerships, visionary leadership and the tireless dedication of students, staff and faculty. Looking ahead, FIC is poised to solidify further its role as a leader in higher education and regional innovation.

The Induction of Professor Justin Robinson

Professor Justin Robinson was formally inducted as the new principal of the Five Islands Campus at a ceremony at the St John’s House of Restoration Pentecostal Church, Antigua.

A native of St Vincent and the Grenadines and noted economist, Professor Robinson also serves as Pro Vice-Chancellor for Academic, Industry Partnerships and Planning.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Hilary Beckles said that Professor Robinson was “profoundly suited to the task at hand” as the University has a “clear vision” for the next steps in developing its fourth landed campus.

Minister of Education Daryll Matthew congratulated the new principal, hoping Professor Robinson will continue to help shape the regional education system. “It is essential to recognise the significance of leadership in shaping the educational landscape; Professor Robinson brings with him a wealth of experience, a passion for education and a vision for the future that aligns seamlessly with the values that define our campus here in Antigua and Barbuda,” Minister Matthew expressed.

Professor Robinson noted that the University challenges the notion of elitism and opens the door to equal opportunities for persons living within the Eastern Caribbean. “Access to a world-class university education delivered by a Caribbean university, fully grounded in all of the contextual complexities of the Caribbean, I think is one of the most positive developments on our journey to date as a Caribbean civilisation,” he said.

He noted that a growing complement of educated and qualified professionals will build a “critical mass” of human resources to navigate society’s dynamic shifts. He also said that having a university in the Eastern Caribbean provided greater focus on the Eastern Caribbean environment as a medium for economic, social, and scientific research, providing those societies access to localised solutions to the sub-region’s unique problems. “Being present in a space, interacting with the people, the leaders focus your mind on the issues of that society and to research them, which, despite your best intentions, you cannot do from a distance,” he explained. He added that he saw his role as crafting a model, promoting financial sustainability at the University, and calling on his UWI colleagues to support the “Revenue Revolution”, ensuring fair costing for regional governments and students while maintaining the status of being a world-class institution.