Facility Aims to Enhance Educational Opportunities for Solomon Islands Students.
The University of the South Pacific (USP) campus at King George in Honiara, Solomon Islands, was officially opened this week on 3rd October 2024. The new campus is the result of a partnership between USP and the Government of the Solomon Islands.
This facility aims to meet the educational needs of students in the Solomon Islands and contribute to national development.
In his opening address, USP Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Pal Ahluwalia stated, “The journey of this new campus began nearly 20 years ago, when discussions first started to build a facility that would meet the growing needs of the Solomon Islands.” He noted that construction faced setbacks due to the COVID-19 pandemic and delays in material shipments but resumed in 2022, leading to the completion of the campus.
Professor Ahluwalia highlighted that the new campus reflects USP’s commitment to serving the Solomon Islands and supporting national and regional development goals, including the global Sustainable Development Goals and the 2050 Blue Pacific Strategy.
The campus includes lecture theatres, a library, computer labs, and tutorial rooms designed to support learning.
Solomon Islands’ Acting Prime Minister and current Deputy Prime Minister, Bradley Tovosia, said, “This campus ensures that students from across our islands, regardless of their origin, have access to world-class tertiary education.” He noted that the campus provides educational pathways for students. Tovosia also commented on the campus’s role in promoting unity among students from different regions and ethnic backgrounds.
The project was financed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). ADB Regional Director Shane Rosenthal stated, “The state-of-the-art facility will serve as a hub for innovation, collaboration and growth”. He added that the new campus aims to increase access to quality higher education, particularly for women and students from remote outer islands and other Pacific countries.
The new USP campus was officially opened by the Solomon Islands’ Governor-General, His Excellency Reverend David Kapu.
