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The Rapid Growth of St. George’s University and its Contribution to Grenada’s Economy

St. George’s University (SGU) is a private medical school and international university in Grenada, West Indies, that offers degrees in medicine, veterinary medicine, public health, the health sciences, nursing, arts and sciences, and business. Founded in 1976 by an act of Grenada’s Parliament, SGU has grown to become one of the largest and most reputable medical schools in the Caribbean region.

But SGU is not only a center of academic excellence; it is also a vital partner and contributor to Grenada’s economy and society. SGU has demonstrated its commitment to the island it calls home through various outreach programs, charitable donations, employment opportunities, and infrastructure development.

One of the ways SGU supports the local community is by providing health care services to Grenadians who need them. SGU has partnered with the Grenada Heart Foundation, which has helped more than 200 cardiac patients receive life-saving surgeries. SGU has also held more than 1,000 clinics in cardiac and ophthalmologic care, among others, treating more than 1,000 patients with alumni and friends of the university, donating time and equipment in excess of $1 million USD.

SGU also cares for the vulnerable segments of the population, such as orphans and elderly. The university-sponsored Fund for Orphans and Elderly has directly supported services at 14 orphanages and nursing homes in Grenada for decades. Moreover, student volunteers have run island-wide health clinics, broadening their services to include animal care by the veterinary medical students in recent years.

In addition to direct community outreach, SGU is responsible for putting over $100 million USD annually into the Grenadian economy in the form of salaries, hotel accommodations, housing, recreation, food, construction, goods and services, advertising expenditures, and charitable contributions SGU is the largest private sector employer in Grenada, employing more than 600 Grenadian citizens as faculty, staff, and administrators of the university.

The staff, faculty, students, and visitors—all the activities associated with living and doing and buying in Grenada—add to the direct contributions of the university. Furthermore, continuing construction projects addressing necessary university infrastructure and maintenance also bolster the local economy.

Most importantly, SGU has created an intellectual academic environment that entices Grenadians who had moved abroad to come home and be a part of a thriving academic community. SGU has granted over $70 million USD in scholarships to Caribbean students, many of them Grenadian, and they have gone on to study medicine, veterinary medicine, business, public health, nursing, and more.

Sir Eric Gairy
Sir Eric Matthew Gairy

St. George’s University is more than just a medical school; it is a catalyst for economic growth and social development in Grenada. By investing in education, health care, and community service, SGU has shown its dedication to the island and its people. SGU is a proud member of the Grenadian family and a valuable asset to the nation.

When the idea of the then St. George’s School of Medicine was first announced to Grenadians, the opposition political parties objected with all the criticism directed at the then Prime Minister Sir Eric Gairy. The Torchlight Newspaper was the mouthpiece of the opposition accusing Gairy of trying to fill his pocket from the arrangement. Now we can see the fruit of Gairy’s vision. The University has also impacted greatly the number of airlines flights into the island and the hotel occupancy.

By T.L. Neckles

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