Soochow University granted land concession for Vientiane-based branch
By Phommouny
(KPL) The government has granted a 50-year land concession to the Soochow University enabling the university to build its first Vientiane-based branch of which the construction is expected to take place by the end of this year.
According to an agreement signed in recent weeks, the Chinese university has been entitled to the use of a 23.4-ha plot of land for building its campus at a cost of 194.5 billion kip. The branch is expected to accommodate 5,000 students after it is fully built.
The signatories to the agreement were Deputy Head of the Natural Resources and Environment Department, Mr. Somphone Khounphilom, and Vice Rector of the Soochow University in Laos, Mr. Wang Jiaxiang.
The signing of the agreement was witnessed by Deputy Chief of Saysetha district, Mr. Phoutthaphone Khodpanya, and relevant officials of both sides.
The 50-year concession agreement can be extended for another 25-year term according to the agreement of both sides. According to the document, the university will carry out the construction of its branch in two phases with the first one set aside for building its classroom building, dormitory, library and sport facilities and the second phase for building of other facilities.
The implementation of the first phase of the construction has been estimated at 116.7 billion kip and that of the second phase has been expected to cost 77.8 billion kip.