St Lucia loses medical school to Antigua

One of St Lucia’s medical schools has relocated from St Lucia to Antigua.

Atlantic University School of Medicine was located in Rodney Bay, Gros Islet, but from September will open at the old City View Hotel on Newgate Street, St. John’s.

The hotel has been closed for almost two years.

The school, which has a student population of one hundred and twenty, was expecting a larger enrolment for its January semester.

Paul Leone, programme director at the university, expressed gratitude to the government of Antigua and Barbuda for seamless transition seamless.

“All the relevant arms of government were very proactive in ensuring that we are in this position today,” he said.

“From our initial interaction with Prime Minister Gaston Browne to the great efficiency shown by the attorney general and the ministers of health and education, have enabled our readiness.”

The prime minister said that the arrival of the medical school is confirmation that his government is serious about attracting new partners.

“Like we have seen with other medical schools based here, the environment that we have created, the comfort and amenities that we possess, meaning that students from around the world are attracted to our shores to continue their education,” said Browne.

“We are aware of the great economic impact that medical schools have on our economy and, in that regard, we are very keen to welcome the Atlantic University School of Medicine here in Antigua.”

The school teaches students from across the world, including North America, India, the United Kingdom, Nigeria and South Korea.

Students are expected to begin arriving on Antigua from the end of August.

Original source: St Lucia News Online