PNG to build 'Western Pacific University' in Ialibu

New university in the highlands.  Photo credit: PNC/Getty

A university called 'Western Pacific University' will be built in the highlands of PNG. PNG PRIME Minister Peter O’Neill says a new university will be built at Ialibu, Southern Highlands.

He made the announcement during the Grade 12 graduation at Ialibu Secondary School on Tuesday.

O’Neill said  his government has allocated K80 million  from the 2014 budget, with funding made available through a Chinese government grant to build the university. Preparatory work and designing are under way.

O’Neill, said the university would be built at the old Ialibu airstrip, which is on State land. 

He appealed to customary landowners to free up their land for this huge development.

“The university will be enrolling 2,000 to 3,000 students and bringing in 200 to 300 teachers, which would increase business activities and development of the Ialibu township,” O’Neill said.

“To build a university is not an easy thing,” he said. 

“Other provinces want a university in their districts but Ialibu is privileged to have one.

“We, the people of Ialibu-Pangia district, are fortunate to have this opportunity and must take ownership of such a project for the future of our children.” 

He said Southern Highlands Governor William Powi and other highlands governors supported the university to be built in Ialibu because Ialibu-Pangia people were law-abiding and peaceful people.

So far PNG has six universities. 

Port Moresby (Coastal) : The University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG), Pacific Adventist University 

Lae (Coastal): University of Technology

Madang (Coastal): Divine Word University 

Kokopo (Coastal): University of Nature Resources and Environment 

Goroka (Highlands): University of Goroka 

PNG Today / The National