Antigua and Barbuda Falcons and UWI Five Islands Campus Sign Landmark MOU

We are pleased to announce that the University of the West Indies (UWI) Five Islands Campus and the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This collaboration, which was officially established on Friday, June 21, 2024, is a big step in the direction of encouraging academic and athletic success in our neighborhood. Representatives of the Ministry of Education and Sport as well as important university authorities attended the signing ceremony that was held during The UWI FIC Annual Management Retreat.

This ground-breaking agreement paves the way for an exciting partnership combining professional sports and academic programs. Beginning in July 2024, UWI students will be able to intern with the Falcons franchise, providing them with crucial first-hand exposure to the sports world.

Professor C. Justin Robinson, Campus Principal of The UWI Five Islands, emphasized the importance of this partnership in enhancing academic engagement across diverse fields. “We believe the partnership will encourage a balance of enrolment at the institution, providing capacity for internships in sports around the Falcons franchise. It’s quite critical as we build out the Five Islands brand and the programming we are offering, programming that may appeal to the male audience.” He noted that this MOU coincides with the launch of UWI Five Islands' Academy of Sport, which will soon offer a variety of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.

Jefferson Miller, CEO of the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons, highlighted the mutual benefits of this collaboration. “Falcons is not only a cricket enterprise, but we also wanted to give back something to Antigua. Cricket now is big business; It’s a multi-million-dollar industry, and we believe that having the opportunity for students from our University to partner or collaborate with the Falcons would be a win-win situation.” Miller emphasized that the franchise sees this as a long-term partnership aimed at benefiting both Antigua & Barbuda and the wider region.

Hon. Daryll Matthew, Minister of Education, Sport and Creative Industries, praised the initiative for its potential to generate significant benefits. “Great things happen when access and opportunity meet. I believe that this event here today and what will come out of this for our young people, our citizens, our residents, our stakeholders is really a great joining of access and opportunity that will create great things as a result.”

The management teams of the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons and the UWI Five Islands attended the signing ceremony. This partnership is an intentional attempt to bring professional sports and academic pursuits together, improving the educational process and advancing sports, especially cricket, in the area. The Antigua and Barbuda Falcons, who are dedicated to promoting development and quality in both sports and education, are honored to be leading this project.