3 Nov 2011

USP Kiribati campus to get makeover

2:38 pm on 3 November 2011

The University of the South Pacific campus in Kiribati is to get a makeover, using a loan from the Asian Development bank.

The Tarawa campus serves about 3,000 students, but the government, which is guaranteeing the loan, is hoping to entice more students to study at home.

The director of the campus, Dr Ueantabo McKenzie, says the redevelopment will mean a three-story building with more classes and offices, and a new convention centre.

"Government is very keen to get as many students as possible to study locally and they are starting next year, to get the first scholarship students, instead of going to Fiji or the other campuses to stay in Kiribati and do their courses here. So that means a lot of work for us."

Dr Ueantabo McKenzie says he will be recruiting English and Science lecturers from next year, and then hopefully someone in economics and accounting.