A long-running commitment to nurturing young talent in Antigua and Barbuda has taken concrete form, as the Rotary Club of Antigua (RCA) has formalized a new contribution to the University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus (UWIFIC) through an EC$10,000 cheque donation. The gift, which forms part of the club’s ongoing scholarship programme and deepens its long-standing institutional partnership with the university, was presented during an intimate ceremony hosted at Rotary House.
The donation was officially received by Adeola Matthew, manager of the Student Retention and Success Unit under UWIFIC’s Office of the Campus Registrar. Speaking on behalf of the service organization, RCA President Elisa Graham emphasized that access to quality education has remained a core strategic priority for Rotary globally, and specifically for the Antigua chapter, which views educational investment as foundational to Antigua and Barbuda’s long-term prosperity.
Graham noted, “The Rotary Club of Antigua is proud to continue its partnership with the University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus through this scholarship contribution. We believe that education is one of the most powerful tools for transforming lives and strengthening communities. This donation reflects our ongoing commitment to supporting students as they pursue their academic and professional aspirations.”
The RCA president also extended public recognition to the all-volunteer scholarship committee, which spearheaded the initiative. Led by two past RCA presidents, Dr. Vanetta Rodgers and Dr. Errol Samuel, the committee also includes Rotarians Nabia Burton and Yasmine Ephraim. Graham credited the group’s consistent dedication and hard work for turning the annual scholarship commitment into a reality for students.
In her response, Matthew expressed heartfelt gratitude for the club’s sustained investment in the campus’ student body. She highlighted that financial scholarship support does more than offset tuition costs—it directly improves student retention outcomes and raises overall graduation rates, opening pathways for economic mobility for young people across the country.
“Partnerships like this demonstrate the power of community,” Matthew said. “The Club’s continued scholarship support has had a measurable impact on student success and retention, helping to ensure that more students can complete their studies and build brighter futures.”
For the Rotary Club of Antigua, this donation is just one part of a decades-long legacy of local community impact. The organization has consistently prioritized educational projects, youth leadership development, and community infrastructure initiatives across Antigua and Barbuda, aligned with Rotary International’s global mission of service above self. Looking ahead, RCA says it plans to deepen its collaborative relationship with UWIFIC and continue investing in the development of Antigua and Barbuda’s next generation of leaders.