When my Government decided upon establishing a University of the West Indies Campus in Antigua and Barbuda, there were those who scoffed at the presumptiveness of tiny Antigua and Barbuda proposing such a venture.

There were those who thought that demanding payment of arrears, dating back decades, would deter my Government. Others who thought that by accusing the UWI of bending to political pressure, it would deter the decision-makers, and, if the UWI yielded, it would result in the deflation of its brand.

Still others who argued that buildings designed for a secondary school could not possibly be adequate for a university. My Government has proven the naysayers all wrong.

The UWI Five Islands Campus began life with a cohort of fewer than 350 students; four years later, nearly 2,000 students are enrolled in its various classes. It has begun to offer master degree programs, and will eventually offer PhD programs also.

My Government is about to spend EC$300 million on UWI’s expansion, providing new Primary and Secondary Schools to the Five Islands community in the process.

UWI is at the heart of the renaissance where tertiary education will be tuition-free for citizens; it will carve out from our human-resource base the newest version of what a re-birthed Antigua and Barbuda will look like.

The Minister of Education, Honourable Daryll Matthew, has delivered for the youth of Antigua and Barbuda and deserves our continuing applause.

He has shown leadership, determination, strength and adherence to strong principles that result in the objectives which my Government and the UWI have set as benchmarks. Thank you, Minister.

Thanks also to Sir David Harrison. The ABICE—now a part of the ABCAS (the Antigua and Barbuda College of Advanced Studies) —will provide youth with training in the trades, allowing all to receive certification and to earn higher incomes on account of their training.