The new USP Campus in Solomon Islands will increase access to quality university education particularly for young Solomon Islanders says Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare.
He made the comment during the ground breaking ceremony in Honiara yesterday.
Sogavare said he was delighted with the supportive role of his government, including the past government and officials, and that have played in facilitating the process of the development of the new USP Solomon Islands Campus.
He said the regional university has grown considerably since its inauguration in 1998.
“Today USP has established a solid foundation and has created successfully a learning ambience conducive to the whole-person development of students from all over the Pacific Islands countries and abroad.
“The excellent track record of its graduates in both employment, and communities especially in here at home in the Pacific Islands countries, speaks well of USP’s remarkable process over the past years,” he said.
Sogavare said the ground-breaking therefore is an important event for the present and future governments and people of Solomon Islands as it represents a ‘Win. A ‘Win’ with respect to key initiatives undertaken by both USP and the Solomon Islands Government in order for the country and people to tap into the opportunities to access quality university education and wining the future through investments in education.
He said Solomon Islands as a country and nation has a bright, energetic, forward-thinking young people who both deserve and want to complete their education at the highest level possible.
“As a Government and national leader, it is our responsibility to provide these young people with the very best educational opportunities where it can help create and generate economic opportunities both for their own and personal fulfilment as well for the social and economic future of the country,” he said.
Sogavare said in broad sense tertiary education is vital for providing quality education and relevant skills for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship.
He acknowledged the Asian Development Bank through the President Mr Takehiko Nakao and Professor Rajesh Chandra, Vice Chancellor and President of the USP for gracing the events.
He assured them that his government is committed to make sure the project comes to a fruitful ending.
Photo supplied. Caption: Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare (left) during the ground breaking ceremony yesterday.