Solomon Islands site for fourth USP campus ready

The government of Solomon Islands says the site offered to the University of the South Pacific for its fourth campus is now ready for development.

Supervising minister for education John Dean Kuku made the statement on the floor of parliament in response to questions raised about the status of the $US16.9 million project.

Mr Kuku said funding for the campus would be coming from the Asian Development Bank in the form of a $US15.4 million loan and a $US1.5 million grant.

He said significant progress has been made since the project was launched in 2014 including the completion of feasibility studies and reports, topographic surveys, a assessment and clearance of Unexploded ordnance exercise, the transfer of titles from the government to the university and the construction of roading to and fencing for the site at King George VI.

Mr Kuku said the fourth USP Campus will offer the same courses offered at the smaller USP Solomon Islands Centre.

And he said the Solomon Islands government would also be able to request the introduction of additional courses based on the needs of Solomon Islands.

Mr Kuku said the establishment of the fourth USP campus in Solomon Islands will also see a reduction in the number of students going for studies abroad, especially at the main USP Campus in Fiji.

 

Photo: wikicommons USP's Suva campus