ONE of Papua New Guinea’s leading tertiary institutions, the University of Goroka will set up a Pacific Open Campus in Honiara, PNG High Commissioner Moses Kaul has announced.
High Commissioner Kaul made the announcement in a speech marking PNG’s 48th Independence Anniversary celebrations at the Heritage Park Hotel in Honiara last weekend.
He told the gathering of guests by invitation only that one key aspect of the bilateral relations between his country and Solomon Island is the development of human capital.
“Since independence PNG has been providing educational opportunities to Solomon Islands students.
“Today, I am proud to say that most qualified and experienced in the very high places in government, private and public sectors of this country have been trained in PNG.
“On this note, I am pleased to announce that the University of Goroka has just signed an MOA with the Solomon Islands Government to expand the establishment of the University of Goroka Pacific Open Campus in Honiara,” High Commissioner Kaul said.
“We are committed to deliver a world class tertiary education with a broader spectrum of programmes to doorsteps in Solomon Islands. I congratulate both parties.”
High Commissioner Kaul attributes this new development to the relationship between the two Melanesian neighbours.
“What tangibly drives our relationship forward can be attributed to over 50 PNG investments in Solomon Islands with (an) estimated value exceeding SBD2 billion.
“We take considerable risks to invest in this great country but believe in bolstering diverse economic opportunities and development prospects, hence contribute to the nation-building process,” he said.
High Commissioner Kaul also acknowledged development partners such as Australia, China, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States for their contributions which he said had impacted lives in the greater Asia-Pacific region.
PNG, he said, is an emerging economy in the region, based on agriculture and extractive industry sectors. The hosting of the APEC Summit in Port Moresby in 2018, is a testament to this trend of economic growth.
High Commissioner Kaul said that PNG had given K100 million in Grant-In-Aid to Solomon Islands, despite not being an aid donor.
“This is an unprecedented gesture and a token of support for a true friend and brother in times of need.”
High Commissioner Kaul also paid tribute to the founding fathers of the two Melanesian neighbours’ political independence.
By Alfred Sasako
