Media organisations in the Solomon Islands had the opportunity to tour the new University of the South Pacific (USP) Campus in Honiara last week Wednesday (February 7, 2024), see first-hand the development, and learn the benefits it would provide for its people and its significance for the Pacific region.
The construction and design of the buildings were inspired by and respect the local setting and its traditional architecture, an area USP prioritises to preserve traditional Pacific knowledge.
These designs can be seen in the roof form, balustrade, sun shading screens, and “lif haus” student study huts.
The tour, led by USP Solomon Islands Campus Director Dr Billy Fitoo, stressed that while the development progress of the new campus is commendable, it is still in its first phase, with two more phases remaining before it is fully complete.
During the tour, Project Consultant Kramer Ausenco, who led the development, provided a comprehensive overview of the facilities and explained that a lot of effort was put into materialising the construction of the new campus while ensuring it is in line with the university’s vision for sustainable development.
As such, the new campus has solar photovoltaic supplemental power generation and supplies over 75% of campus demand.
The state-of-the-art facility also has rainwater harvesting, filtration, and recirculation for campus needs, fitted with modern teaching & learning space designs that prioritise quality, maximise utilisation, and provide flexibility over time to meet changing pedagogical needs.
Kramer Ausenco Contract Engineer Daniel Tucker added the new campus would leverage Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to reduce reliance on physical space, such as Video Conferencing facilities, and provide backup power to priority infrastructure and campus services, such as Server Rooms.
It also honours USP’s inclusive programme as it is a disability-friendly campus, further strengthening its commitment to creating an inclusive, barrier-free working and learning environment for its students and staff from its twelve member countries.
“Within the vicinity of the three buildings, the surrounding paved areas provide a suitable surface for wheelchair access and assisted access via walkway frames. A central lift system provides vertical access to the building levels where students and staff can move across elevated walkways to access various parts of the buildings.”
“The same consideration also translates site-wise with compliant pedestrian access ways from the main gate, carpark, and into the campus buildings.”
The multi-million-dollar campus that is set to open sometime this year aims to contribute to positive change by providing quality education within a supportive teaching and learning framework.
