The UWI Five Islands Campus (FIC) will represent Antigua and Barbuda at the ICPC Latin America Championship in Chile. The event runs from March 3–8, 2026. This marks the nation’s first-ever in-person appearance at this global university programming contest.

After two competitive regional elimination rounds, the UWI FIC team “Frostbyte” emerged as a top competitor. The team includes Ajante Fraser, Silford Moore, and Akeem Richards. They are students in the School of Science, Computing and Artificial Intelligence (SoSCAI). Additionally, Dr. Ilenius Ildephonce, head of SoSCAI, accompanies the team and has supported competitive programming on campus.

Often called the “Olympics of Coding,” the ICPC challenges teams of three students to solve algorithmic problems under intense time pressure. As a result, it sharpens critical thinking, teamwork, and innovative problem-solving skills. The Latin America Championship serves as the semifinal round. Top teams will qualify for the ICPC World Finals in Dubai in November 2026.

Professor C. Justin Robinson, Campus Principal, praised the team. He said, “We are immensely proud of Ajante, Silford, and Akeem for this historic achievement.” Furthermore, he noted this milestone reflects the talent, determination, and strength of UWI FIC programs. He added that the campus prepares students for competitions, the workforce, and entrepreneurial ventures.

The campus also thanked the Antigua and Barbuda Board of Education for supporting the team’s travel. Their investment in student initiatives will strengthen STEM development in Antigua and Barbuda.

The ICPC is the world’s oldest, largest, and most prestigious programming contest. Tens of thousands of students from hundreds of universities compete each year. Consequently, strong performance at the Latin America Championship could propel Team Frostbyte to the ICPC World Finals.

The UWI Five Islands Campus, established in 2019, represents a major milestone in Caribbean higher education. It offers over 40 undergraduate and postgraduate programs across four schools: Humanities and Education, Business and Management, Health and Behavioural Sciences, and Science, Computing and Artificial Intelligence.

Additionally, the campus hosts The Centre of Excellence for Oceanography and the Blue Economy (COBE). This reflects its commitment to marine science research and sustainable ocean-based development—critical for Caribbean nations.

Learn more at www.fiveislands.uwi.edu.