On Wednesday, October 14, the Antigua and Barbuda College of Advanced Studies (ABCAS) marked a historic milestone in the country’s education landscape, holding its inaugural graduation ceremony for its first cohort of short course graduates at the John E. St. Luce Finance and Conference Centre. The event honored 100+ learners who successfully completed training across 11 targeted professional and technical programs, drawing attendees from across the nation’s education sector, public government, graduating learners, and their families.
What stands out most about this first graduating class is the remarkable diversity of its participants. Learners ranged from sitting board members of major organizations and established mid-career professionals to small-scale farmers, janitorial staff, and security personnel, representing nearly every corner of Antigua and Barbuda’s working population. This broad cross-section of graduates underscores a core mission of ABCAS: to make flexible, skills-focused upskilling accessible to people at every stage of their professional journey, no matter their current occupation or background.
ABCAS draws on specialized training infrastructure across five geographically distributed campuses to deliver its short course offerings, each focused on a distinct high-demand industry for the Antigua and Barbuda economy. The Eustace Hill Campus specializes in business, innovation, and information technology; the Glanvilles Campus hosts the School of Agriculture; the Harrison Centre focuses on technical and vocational education; the Muriel O’Mard Campus trains learners for tourism and hospitality roles; and the Dr. Alister Francis Campus covers education, arts, science, and industry training.
The 11 programs that produced this first cohort reflect the college’s focus on tangible, in-demand skills for local workers: Broiler Production, Basic Household Plumbing Repairs, Crop Production, Electrical Fundamentals, Hospitality Service Excellence – Front Desk, HVACR for Technicians, Governance and Insurance for Board Directors, Professional Bartending and Mixology, Professional Desserts and Presentation, Professional Eyelash Application, and Professional Food and Beverage Service.
In her opening welcome address, ABCAS President Dr. E. Jonah Greene laid out her long-term vision for the young institution, framing it as the go-to hub for individual workers and local businesses seeking to boost skills and knowledge. “I am ABCAS. We are ABCAS,” she stated, emphasizing the collective mission of the college’s community to uplift the nation’s workforce.
ABCAS Board of Trustees Chairman Dr. Vernon Solomon used his congratulatory remarks to highlight the agency of the graduates and the critical value of lifelong learning in a fast-changing economy. “Today, one word comes to mind: choices. You made the choice to develop a new skill when it would have been easy to remain comfortable. Lifelong learning is an important part of life, particularly as technology continues to evolve. We all have an obligation to continue growing,” he said. He also reaffirmed the board’s ongoing commitment to providing all learners who enroll at ABCAS with the support and resources they need to complete their training and achieve their goals.
Honorable Daryll S. Matthew, Minister of Education, Science and Technology, centered his remarks on the foundational role that accessible skills training plays in driving Antigua and Barbuda’s overall national development, aligning the college’s work with the country’s broader growth priorities.
During the ceremony, certificates were presented to graduates by a panel including Minister Matthew, Dr. Solomon, and ABCAS Vice-President Dr. Na-Ajele Williams-Buffonge, who oversees academic affairs and the college’s short course portfolio. A highlight of the formal proceedings was the recognition of Most Outstanding Students from each of the 11 programs, honoring learners who achieved exceptional academic and practical performance throughout their training.
Delivering the official graduate response on behalf of her cohort, Joe Anna Stevens, a graduate of the School of Agriculture, reflected on the personal journeys that brought each learner to the graduation stage. “Today represents hope, achievement and success. Behind these gowns are journeys filled with long days, demanding responsibilities and, for some of us, the fear of trying something new. ABCAS gave us an opportunity to take that step. To my fellow graduates, take what you have learnt and put it to good use. Continue to learn, apply what you know, advance and, most importantly, give yourself a chance,” she said. Stevens closed her remarks by extending special gratitude to the School of Agriculture faculty and course facilitators for their consistent guidance and support throughout the program.