CLOSE to 200 government funded students studying in Fiji are reportedly facing accommodation hiccups.
Reports reaching the Solomon Star revealed that most of those affected are first year University of the South Pacific (USP) students who arrived late in Suva in the three remaining charter flights.
USP classes started week ago.
A final (third) year USP student who wish to remain anonymous told the Solomon Star that lack of accommodation is a big problem facing many first year students.
He said, while most of the students are grateful for the opportunity to study , accommodation remains a problem every year.
“This is something responsible authorities must take into consideration in the future.
“Sending students at the last minute and let them stranded here is not good.”
Another second year student said, such issues call for the quick establishment of the fourth USP campus at Doma.
“I believe if the government is serious about its human resource education then they should start-off work on the Doma campus.
“This will reduce the cost on government spending for sending students overseas.
“It’s obvious that every year government funded students studying overseas (Fiji) usually late for school and faces such issues which affected their academic performances.”
A first year student who arrived late at Laucala campus said, with the help of some senior students he manage to register for his courses.
“We were still at a hotel in Suva and still looking for possible accommodation close to the campus.
“I think staying at the hotels would be costly for our government because even other students who come on previous charters are still in the hotels for almost a month now.
“I see this as an expensive exercise for our government.”
Its understood the USP fourth campus at Doma is one of the project priorities for the Sogavare-led government.
Minister of Education Dr. Derek Sikua last week revealed government is supporting the establishment with an allocation of $20 million in this year’s budget, which will be tabled in the March sitting.
He said the government wanted to see the campus operation during its tenure, which will end in 2018.
“We wanted to see the campus open in 2018 to coincide with USP’s 50th anniversary and the end of the current government’s term,” the minister said.
“If DCC government is to leave a legacy behind, it is the establishment of USP’s fourth campus at Doma.”
He said opening up a big USP campus here would bring opportunities for Solomon Islands students and abroad to pursue their education in the country.
Work on the campus is expected to start next year.
By STEPHEN DI’ISANGO
