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Since its establishment in 2014, the University of the South Pacific (USP) TORBA Centre at Sola on Vanualava, has become a vital hub for education in the province — helping school leavers and working adults alike access higher learning opportunities without the need to travel to Port Vila or Luganville. Coordinator Meri Worek, who has been with the centre since it first opened, said the main goal of the USP TORBA Centre is to assist Year 13 school leavers and others in the community who wish to continue their studies. “Before the centre was built, many students had to travel to Vila or Santo to study, which was very costly for families,” she explained. “Now, they can stay here in TORBA Province, continue their education, and save on travel and living expenses.” The centre also serves public servants and office workers across the province who want to further their qualifications while remaining in their workplaces. Access to reliable internet has played a key role in supporting students’ success. According to Worek, while networks like Vodafone and Digicel occasionally experience disruptions, the 3Link connection has proven to be the most consistent, allowing students to attend online classes, submit assignments, and access course materials with ease. When the centre first opened, enrollment numbers were small. However, over the years, participation has grown steadily. Students from across TORBA — including Gaua, Motalava, and Vanualava — have registered and studied through the centre. Each semester, enrollment numbers vary, usually averaging between 20 and 30 students. Payments for course fees are processed through the bank, as the centre does not accept cash. Worek said the long-term plan is to continue increasing enrollment and eventually establish cohorts of students studying the same programs locally. “Many families don’t realize that the programs offered here are the same as those at the USP campuses in Vila and Santo,” she said. “The only difference is that students here study online instead of face-to-face. We want to encourage more young people to stay home, study here, and build their futures from Torba.” The USP TORBA Centre continues to stand as a beacon of opportunity — bringing education closer to home and empowering the people of TORBA Province to pursue their dreams without leaving their islands.
