THE construction work on the fourth University of the South Pacific campus in Honiara is nearing completion.
The new campus is located near the National Stadium in East Honiara.
According to China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd, the contractor responsible for the project construction, the campus’ building works are nearing completion with workers now conducting the finishing works.
The completion of the USP campus in Honiara is poised to strengthen economic development in the country, whilst offering more opportunities for tertiary education to Solomon Islanders.
Solomon Islands has the second highest number of students studying at USP. This means Solomon Islands is the second largest payer of tuition fees to this regional tertiary institution.
The Government Communication Unit has stated that the new campus will feature extra teaching and educational spaces like faculty and administrative facilities, a 600 KW roof-to-solar-powered system that will contribute to the campus’s energy needs and gender-friendly designs that will create secure and safe ICT learning hubs with sanitation facilities for both male and female students.
The total cost of the project is $16.9 million. This cost is partly funded by a concessional loan of $15.4 million from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and a grant of $1.5 million from the Clean Energy Fund administered by ADB.
By LACHLAN EDDIE HOE
Solomon Star, Honiara
