The University of the West Indies (UWI) Five Islands Campus achieved a significant milestone on Saturday, hosting its largest graduation ceremony to date. The event, held at the SJPC House of Restoration Ministries, celebrated 195 graduates, marking the campus’s biggest cohort since its inception. Among the graduates were the first-ever recipients of degrees in cutting-edge programs such as the Bachelor of Science in Data Science, Innovation Management, and Computer Science, as well as the Master of Arts in Teaching Exceptional Children. This historic occasion also saw the conferral of an honorary Doctor of Laws degree on Dr. Padgett Henry, a distinguished Caribbean scholar and Professor Emeritus at Brown University. Dr. Henry, who joined the ceremony virtually, expressed his profound gratitude, stating, ‘There is no other university that I wanted an honorary doctorate from than the University of the West Indies. This is the real deal. This is the best.’ The ceremony was attended by prominent figures, including Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne, Deputy Governor General Sir Clare Roberts, and UWI Vice-Chancellor Sir Hilary Beckles. Graduates from across the Caribbean, including students from Montserrat and St. Kitts and Nevis, were recognized, highlighting the campus’s expanding regional influence. In his keynote address, UWI Chancellor Dr. Dodridge Miller praised the institution’s growth, describing Five Islands as ‘a symbol of educational resilience and regional opportunity.’ Valedictorian Kadeem Charles, who earned first-class honors in Data Science, Innovation Management, and Computer Science, delivered an inspiring speech, urging his peers to embrace technological innovation while upholding the values of community and perseverance. The ceremony also showcased the campus’s commitment to academic excellence and regional development, with faculty leaders commending graduates for their balance of academic rigor and community service. As the Antigua and Barbuda Youth Symphony Orchestra filled the hall with music, graduates received thunderous applause from friends and family, many waving flags from across the Caribbean. Chancellor Miller concluded, ‘The Class of 2025 stands as a testament to what our small island states can achieve. You are the architects of the Caribbean’s future — bold, brilliant, and unstoppable.’