A newly outfitted kitchen will become a reality for the Antigua & Barbuda Defense Force (ABDF), following a $10,000 donation from the American University of Antigua (AUA) College of Medicine. The check was given to Colonel Trevor Thomas, ABDF’s Chief of Defense Staff, at a brief ceremony on the University campus.

The funds will facilitate equipping the kitchen at the military base at Crabbs Peninsula to accommodate 200 Caribbean Task Force members assigned to Antigua for the duration of Cricket World Cup 2007. The task force is expected in Antigua on March 24th and preparations are well under way to provide suitable accommodations.

In accepting the donation, Colonel Thomas stated, “I want to express our sincere thanks to AUA and look forward to a working relationship with you as you take that big step in moving closer to us at Camp Blizzard,” referring to AUA’s planned construction of a new campus. “The donation is timely because having proper kitchen facilities is one of the many things we need to accomplish ahead of the event,” the Colonel continued.

AUA President Neal Simon said the University was pleased to assist the ABDF in their preparations for World Cup and looked forward to an ongoing relationship between the two entities. “As new neighbors of the military, we want to make sure that we have a good and continued relationship and hope that this donation to assist in preparing the kitchen will be one of the many times we cooperate for the benefit of the Armed Services, the University, and the country of Antigua & Barbuda,” he said.

AUA College of Medicine offers a medical education equal to the finest U.S. medical schools. Students spend 16 months on Antigua studying Preclinical Science courses and return to the U.S. to complete their clinical training at one of the 18 affiliated teaching hospitals. AUA grants Doctor of Medicine degrees to students who successfully complete all the requirements and graduates are eligible to participate in the Residency Match program.