The University of the South Pacific 82nd Council meeting in Apia, Samoa has approved funding arrangements for the new Solomon Islands Campus.
The meeting which was chaired by the Pro-Chancellor, Winston Thompson also approved the establishment of a University Trust Fund.
The Council is the highest decision-making body of the University and comprises the Pro-Chancellor, the Vice-Chancellor and President, representatives of the 12 member country governments, staff, students, community and business leaders.
One representative from Australia and New Zealand and a member of a CROP agency are also part of the Council. A representative each from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Australian Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade (DFAT) and New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade (MFAT) also attend as Observers.
During the formal opening on day one of the meeting, Mr Thompson welcomed members to the 82nd Meeting of the Council and thanked the Government of Samoa for its invitation to hold the meeting in Samoa and for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to all members since their arrival.
“I want to extend our sincere appreciation to Samoa the warm hospitality accorded to the members of the USP Council. Samoa also has one of the main campuses of the University,” Mr Thompson said.
The Council meeting was officially opened by the Prime Minister of Samoa, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi and was attended by members of the diplomatic corps and senior members of the Samoan Government.
Prime Minister Tuilaepa said USP continues to provide quality education that aligns with the aspirations of the youth of the Pacific.
He reaffirmed the success of the collaboration between the 12 Pacific countries that jointly own USP, highlighting that the University continues to be recognised as the prime example of practical regionalism at its best.
The two day meeting discussed strategic issues for the University. The Council received reports from the Pro-Chancellor, the Vice-Chancellor and President and from committees of the Council being the Executive Committee, the Finance and Investments Committee, the Senate, Audit and Risk Committee, and the Federal Students Association. The Council also received reports on Enrolment, Trends and Analysis, and Regional Campus Development.
During the meeting, the Council was updated on the implementation of USP Strategic Plan (2013 – 2018) and noted the first quarter update for 2016 on the status of the 22 Strategic Plan (SP) KPIs.
On day two of the meeting, Dr Maureen Maloney, WSCUC Vice-President and Staff Liaison to USP, explained over a video conference to Council members, the need for regional accreditation for USP programmes and the value brought about through WSCUC accreditation.
The Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Rajesh Chandra also made a presentation to the Council members on the upcoming programmes planned for the 50th Anniversary celebrations for USP. The Council approved and adopted the recommendation to form a Steering Committee for the 50th Anniversary celebrations in 2018.
The Council reversed the decision to revoke the Hindi programme and allowed it to run for an additional two years following the confirmation of funding from the Government of India for this programme.
The Council noted the position of Government contributions and sponsored student charges due to the University as at 20 April, 2016.
The Council approved three Risk Management Policies namely the Risk Management Policy Risk Communication Policy; and Risk Appetite Policy.
The Council instituted three programmes:
Graduate Certificate in Entrepreneurship;
Apprenticeship Programme for Cookery and Hospitality Programmes; and
Certificate IV in Fisheries, Enforcement and Compliance.
The Earth Science Programme and Certificate in Food and Science Programme have been revoked.
The Council noted the progress made in the following institutional quality assurance processes for the period October 2015 – April 2016:
Academic Quality Agency for New Zealand Universities (AQA) Audit;
WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) Institutional Accreditation;
Registration with the Samoa Qualifications Authority;
Programme Accreditation, External and Internal reviews; and
Institutional Surveys.
In terms of the Response and Implementation Plan for the Review of Regional Campus, the Council endorsed the following:
Approved the Terms of Reference (TOR) for the Campus Advisory Committee which will be chaired by the Minister for Education in each country or his or her nominee;
That the Alafua, Emalus, Solomon Islands Campuses to be administered by a Pro Vice-Chancellor (PVC).
Approved the Implementation Plan for the Review of Regional Campuses Administration, Management, and Governance.
The Council appointed Kate Vusoniwailala to the Audit and Risk Committee for a two year term from 17 May 2016;
It formalised the role of the Secretary to Council as the official custodian of the Council/Senate records and policies approved by Council and Senate.
The next USP Council meeting will be held on 3-4 November 2016 at the Laucala Campus in Fiji.