THE recent opening of a new campus in Kiribati by The University of the South Pacific (USP) has been described as the beginning of a new chapter in higher education in the country. President of Kiribati, His Excellency Anote Tong, said that, as a nation, there were high aspirations for USP Kiribati Campus. The new three storey campus building was opened by His Excellency in Tarawa on 3 November 2015.
“This building symbolises the commitment of Government and its partners – USP, ADB and all who have supported our endeavours for accessibility to higher level and quality education for the people of Kiribati. Not only that but it affirms USP’s commitment to continue to be a dynamic institution responsive to regional and global developments and challenges,” said President Tong.
The new campus was funded through an Asian Development Bank (ADB) soft loan of US$3.6m, for which USP is truly grateful. The building comprises four teaching rooms, lecture theatre, library, book shop, video-conference room, computer lab, science lab, an Atoll Research Centre, College of Foundation Studies and student academic services offices, flexible learning room and staff offices in the top two floors. The ground floor can be used as an additional study space by students.