UNDP to Finance Wakatobi Inbternational Fishery School

Kendari, SE Sulawesi - The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) will fully finance the construction of the International Fishery School (SPI) in Wakatbi, Southeast Sulawesi, a local official said. Wakatobi Mmarine and Fishery Office Chief Hajiu said on Friday that Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Fadel Muhammad would lay the first corner stone next Saturday, July 16, 2011. "UNDP provides the funds of Rp100 billion for the construction of the Wakatobi International Fishery School, the first of its kind Asia," Hajiu said. According to him, Wakatobi district government would only provide 100-hectare plot of land for the construction of the school in two stages, financed by UNDP. For the first stage he said the local government has prepared a 50-hectare plot of land for school which was to be inaugurated by the maritime affairs and fisheries minister. "On the 50-hectare plot of land for the first stage, the International Fishery School will be built in addition to other facilities such as students dormitory, and Muslim and Christian houses of worship," Hajiu said. He said both Muslim and Christian houses of worship were needed because the students and lecturers would be from various countries, especially the six countries at the world's coral reef triangle area. According to Hajiu, the the prospective students who wanted to study at the school would undergo tight entry test, especially related to their academic competence on coral reefs conservation.