USP

University of South Pacific Council meets on report's release

The council, which has been in recess since reinstating the Vice Chancellor and President on 19 June, is also expected to discuss a letter by students, staff and alumni members of the regional institution.

Staff union secretary Ilima Finiasi said they were calling on the council to inform those named in the report that it intended to officially release the report within 30 days.

Nauru President Aingimea commences chancellorship, wants a strong USP

The chancellor is the titular head of the University in which President Aingimea is the 28th head of state or government to hold the title.

President Aingimea says the chancellorship means “it brings what Nauru can contribute to USP” and a chance for Nauru to “put our stamp in how we think USP should be governed.”

“It is my intention that as chancellor it is not just a figure head, that as chancellor I will get really involved in improving and pushing USP that will make USP proud. That will make people want to go to USP.

USP to enforce report on mismanagement and abuse of office

BDO Auckland was engaged to investigate alleged corruption at the university.

According to the Islands Business, the USP Council said in a statement the BDO report had resulted in a "range of findings and recommendations that will need to be addressed to ensure the sound operation of the university".

However, the council did not say what the BDO's recommendations are.

The allegations were raised in a paper by the Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Pal Ahluwalia, titled Issues, Concerns and Breaches of Past Management and Financial Decisions.

USP report on alleged mismanagement two months away

The terms of reference for the investigation have been drawn up and sent to University Council members for their approval.

In a statement, the university said once the terms are approved, the risk and audit committee will invite several independent investigators to register their interest.

The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption is conducting a separate investigation into the allegations, which were first reported by Islands Business last month.

Pacific Islanders to benefit from USP & APTC partnership

This was made possible through a partnership signed between the University of the South Pacific and the Australian Government supported Australian Pacific Coalition at the Laucala Campus.

The partnership marks the first in a new approach APTC is taking to its engagement with TVET institutions and other partners across the region.

USP marks Open Education week

The forum was organised by Centre for Flexible Learning on 29 March, 2017 at the Laucala Campus in Suva.

The forum also focused on progress on Open Education initiatives and opportunities and ways to enhance OER use an application.

Open education is about access to educational opportunities, the practice of open learning and engagement with open scholarship, said Professor Derrick Armstrong, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research, Innovation and International.

Australia Awards Pacific Scholarship students welcomed by USP

Out of the total, 22 students are based at USP’s Emalus Campus while the rest 312 students are based at Laucala Campus.

The AAPS students were welcomed at USP’s Laucala Campus on 9th March 2017.

Development Manager, Mr Iresh Lal wished the students well for their studies and told them that, “you being selected as a recipient of AAPS scholarship is an inspiring story itself.”

Mr Lal thanked the government of Australia for supporting the AAPS awards.

First CROP ICT WG meeting for 2017

One of the issues was the formation of a Task Force that will look into the logistics of this bigger group meeting, such as confirming the list of invitees and determining the aims and objectives of the meeting.

The Task Force includes Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, University of the South Pacific, Asian Development Bank and Pacific Islands Telecommunications Association.

The CROP ICT WG is responsible for coordinating the different tasks undertaken by various players in the key areas in ICT.

Accolades for USP’s Pacific Fusion Restaurant

A fully licensed training restaurant facility operated by USP’s Pacific Technical and Further Education (Pacific TAFE) and Australia - Pacific Technical College (APTC); the Pacific Fusion Restaurant facilitates training as part of phase two of the course each semester, which is the operation of morning tea and lunch services at the restaurant.

Both internal and external stakeholders have provided excellent feedback about the services provided by the Cookery and Hospitality students.

PICs diplomats briefed on USP developments

Its main purpose was to brief the diplomats on the outcomes of the 83rd USP Council Meeting; progress towards implementation of the USP Strategic Plan (2013-2018); update them on USP’s role in European Development Fund (EDF) 11 Pacific Regional Indicative Programme; Regional ICT Initiative and strengthened CROP ICT Working Group; and to discuss USP’s plans for its 50th Anniversary celebrations and how PICs can be actively engaged in marking this important event.