The campus of the Pyongyang University of Science and Technology, which stretches over 1 million square metres, has been under construction for seven years. Plans are still afoot for a technology park.

However, it remains unclear when classes will start. Computers for the school are not being released by South Korea, reported the Yonhap news agency, in a continuing dispute between the two nations about North Korea’s nuclear ambitions.

Nonetheless, supporters of the university, including North Korean education officials, representatives of the South Korean government and a South Korean religious organization, gathered to celebrate the opening.

The university was funded with money from individual South Korean donors, as well as contributions from other countries. South Korea’s Defence Ministry also contributed 1 million dollars as a sign of goodwill. The North-east Asia Foundation for Education and Culture said 35 million dollars in total were collected.