Progressing into higher education did not cross the mind of Cassandra Tabo, until a chance encounter when she found her mother’s old accounting textbooks from The University of the South Pacific (USP).
Hailing from the Isabel province’s Thinao settlement in the Hograno district, Tabo is now one of the hundreds of students studying at USP’s Solomon Islands (SI) campus.
“I come from a humble family and am the eldest of two,” she shared. “Growing up in a close-knit community created by my parents and extended family allowed me to dream of a world of possibilities for myself.”
“I remember going through my mum’s collection of books and came across some USP textbooks. This prompted my interest in tertiary studies and after doing some research, I chose to study at USP because of the academic excellence, diverse cultures and sustainable practices the university offers.”
With her parent’s support, Tabo enrolled in a Bachelor of Arts (Politics and International Relations) programme at the SI campus last year after completing Foundation studies at St Nicholas Anglican College.
As a first-year student, she was able to adapt to higher learning with the support of her lecturers and classmates.
“It was a very new experience for me. There were various modes of learning such as blended, online and face-to-face,” the 20-year-old said.
“One of the highlights of my student journey was networking and collaborating with students from various communities and backgrounds.”
“The best thing about studying at USP’s SI Campus is being in a familiar environment. It gives students relief to be studying on home soil and still be able to receive quality education.”
Tabo added that moving to the new SI campus at King George, which opened in October 2024, provided students with facilities that enhanced their learning experience at USP.
The new campus is fitted with modern teaching and learning space designs that prioritise quality, maximise utilisation and provide flexibility over time to meet changing pedagogical needs.
It also honours USP’s inclusivity as it is a disability-friendly campus, creating an inclusive, barrier-free working and learning environment for students and staff.
The campus is constructed and designed with respect to 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.
Tabo encouraged fresh school leavers and others who are deciding to pursue tertiary studies to take the first step in submitting their applications.
“Never give in to doubt, even when the load and the challenges seem too much,” she shared.
“Be consistent and continue to chase your goals. Small steps lead to big achievements and will be the deciding factor in your academic journey.”
