A work on the USP fourth campus at Ndoma, West Guadalcanal, finally kicks off fortnight ago with pegging of the entire boundary and clearing of the bushes.
This was revealed by the University of the South Pacific (USP), Solomon Islands Campus Director John Usuramo during the USP open day at the Multi Purpose Hall, Friday.
He said that work has started with pegging of the entire boundary and clearing of the proposed area.
“Since the launch of the project April last year, it went to sleep due to the issue of Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) and the unplanned cost that is associated with the finding and removal of the war remains.
“With the government commitment to meeting 50 percent of the cost of the UXO work, with the other 50 percent to be met by USP, work has now kicked off last week (fortnight ago),” said Usuramo last Friday.
Meanwhile, he added that with the continuous increase of number of students registering every year at the Solomon Islands campus they plan to establish more centres in the provinces.
He said that discussion is currently underway for the establishment of a centre in Malaita and Isabel province and which they hope to conclude soon.
“There are already three centres established in other provinces like in Gizo, Western Province, Lata, Temotu Province and Kira Kira, Makira/Ulawa province.
“Over the years, there has been continuous increase of the number of students who registered at the USPSI campus.
“In 2009 when I came in as a director, we had 2,060 students; 2010, we had 2,253 students, 2011 we had 2,684 students; 2012 we had 3,091 students; 2013 we had 3,701 students and this year (2014) we have 4,044 students registered.
“This depicts a steady increase in student numbers and this trend will continue in the foreseeable future.
“I believe the campus continues to benefit from strong and decisive leadership and has re-established a sense of credibility, transparency and accountability,” he said.
This year (2014) USP celebrates its open day with the theme, “shaping your future.”
By STEPHEN DI’ISANGO
