NEW YORK – Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer and Minister of Education, Dr. Jacqui Quinn-Leandro returned to the country on Wednesday (Aug 19) from New York City where they attended the official signing ceremony for a new Veterinary School at the American University of Antigua. The Memorandum of Understanding was signed at the AUA Headquarters between President of AUA, Neil Simon, Dean of Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Ger hardt Schurig and Prime Minister Spencer.
Prime Minister Spencer in his remarks welcomed Virginia Tech to the shores of Antigua and Barbuda and hailed the new partnership with AUA as a great step in the globalization of education. “The American University of Antigua has already made significant contributions to the islands of Antigua and Barbuda since opening its doors in January 2004,” said Prime Minister Spencer. “This new school and its relationship with Virginia Tech elevate Antigua as a premier provider of healthcare education for the Caribbean and the U.S.”
Presenting on behalf of the Ministry of Eduction, Minister of Education Dr. Jacqui Quinn-Leandro expressed the Ministry’s enthusiasm at this new venture stating: “For a small island developing state like Antigua and Barbuda with a relatively small population in an idyllic geographical location, the prospect of opening up our shores to hundreds of educational tourists seeking to pursue higher degrees is a significant feat for our small twin island state. ”
Dean of Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Gerhardt Schurig in his response stated “In five short years, AUA has proven its ability to educate both medical doctors and nurses. Its desire to expand into preparing future veterinarians for their clinical phase at Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine creates another avenue for us to attract qualified students and we welcome it.”
New students in Veterinary Science will begin their degrees in Antigua at the AUA campus from January 2010.
