Western Pacific University Construction Underway – Will Educate 6,000 Students Each Year

The new Western Pacific University will reduce the burden on Highlands parents who have faced hardship when sending their children away to universities in other parts of the nation.

The Prime Minister, Hon. Peter O’Neill CMG MP, highlighted the future benefits of the Western Pacific University in the Southern Highlands province, and said he is impressed with the initial phase of construction work at the new tertiary institution.

The Prime Minister made an unannounced site visit to the campus construction site on the weekend.

“It will not be long until this new university is fully operational. Our children will then have higher education closer to home, and parents will not have to be as concerned about funding or the safety when their children studying a long way away.”

The Prime Minister said while the PNC-led Government is strengthening free education and healthcare, Don Polye’s Opposition want to scrap these policies and turn the clock back.

“The Opposition are not concerned about the education of your children, and they will not fund the construction of new universities.

“They want to go back to the Somare years where nothing happened, there were no new schools or universities, no new hospitals and we had a decrease in law and order.

“Our Coalition Government cares about the future and education of our children, and we will do whatever it takes to continue these services after the 2017 National General Elections.

“Around the country we are improving training for healthcare workers, teachers and other professions needed to make our country stronger.”

The Prime Minister said the construction of the university was proceeding well and facilities are taking shape.

“I am impressed with the early construction work on the institutional houses for academic staff, and the administration building of the Western Pacific University’’.

“The Western Pacific University will enroll up to 6,000 students and bring in lecturers and academics from Papua New Guinea and around the Pacific.”

In addition to accommodation facilities on the 19 hectares site, other amenities including the library, lecture buildings and recreation facilities.

Western Pacific University will become Papua New Guinea’s 5th State-owned university and the 7th in the country.

The newly appointed Higher Secretary for Education, Fr. Jan Czuba, who has been the force behind the Divine Word University in Madang, has been tasked to manage the construction and establishment of the University.