Official Opening of the University of the South Pacific Japan-Pacific ICT Centre

OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE UNIVERSITY OF THE SOUTH PACIFIC JAPAN-PACIFIC ICT CENTRE

The University of the South Pacific announces the Official Opening of the newly-completed, JAPAN-PACIFIC ICT CENTRE on the University's Laucala Campus on Tuesday 6 July, 2010.

The Chief Guests for the Opening will be His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Fiji Islands, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau and the Japanese Ambassador to Fiji, H.E. Mr Yutaka Yoshizawa.

Background

The recent rapid advancement of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) poses both a challenge and an opportunity for the peoples of the South Pacific. As industrialised countries learn to use these technologies to create for themselves more productive and integrated economies, there is an unfortunate possibility that South Pacific countries could be left behind in such developments. This is sometimes referred to as the 'Digital Divide'.

The Japan-Pacific Information Communication Technologies (ICT) Centre is a result of a project designed to close the gap of the 'Digital Divide' in the Pacific region and promote the use of ICT in the region to boost economic growth, improve socio-economic development, reduce poverty and preserve regional cultures.

At a cost of US$21.5 million (F$43 million), the new Japan-Pacific ICT Centre is the outcome of a bilateral agreement between the Fiji Government and the Government of Japan. The project discussion initially began in 2003 and it has finally come to fruition and is one of the milestone projects at the University of the South Pacific (USP).

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the University of the South Pacific officially signed and launched the "ICT for Human Development and Human Security Project" on Friday 30 October 2009.

At the handover of the new building on 12 April 2010, the Pro-Chancellor of USP, the Honourable Fiame Naomi Mata'afa, said that the Japan-Pacific ICT Centre is a shining example of strong and strengthening relationship between Japan and USP. She said that this investment must surely reflect Japan's confidence in USP's role as a quality provider of higher education in the region, especially its ability to increase access to higher education through its Distance and Flexible Learning programmes.

"Let me say that we feel very strongly that our relationship with Japan is deepening and strengthening and we are fully committed to demonstrating to Japan, that we will use its assistance to the fullest advantage of our students and especially our regional member countries, while strongly supporting Fiji's aspirations to develop ICT related industries" she said.

Facilities

The Centre provides office space for ICT staff at USP (IT Services, Maths, Computing Sciences, Information Systems and Engineering), Pacific Computer Emergency Response Team or 'PacCERT', Pacific Regional Resource Centre (PRRC), and Pacific Islands Telecommunications Association (PITA). It also provides ICT 'incubator' spaces for ICT entrepreneurs to start their ICT business at the Centre. This is for industry use in collaboration with USP. Some possible entrepreneurship areas would be Mobile Telecommunications, Software Development, e-health, e-business, e-government and e-immigration etc. Once the business matures, the entrepreneurs can move on and continue their ICT business in the region.

The Centre is equipped with 360 computers, 20 high ends servers, equipment for ICT-related engineering courses and cutting edge ICT equipment for video and audio conferences.

Japan – USP Relationship

Japan's Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ms Chinami Nishimura, paid a short visit to the University of the South Pacific on Sunday 2 May 2010. The purpose of the visit was to take a tour of the newly completed ICT Centre.

The Vice-Chancellor of USP, Professor Rajesh Chandra, in welcoming the Vice-Minister and her delegation, said that the University was indeed very happy and appreciative of the fact that she had allowed some time to visit USP and witness for herself the very fine new addition to the University – the Japan-Pacific ICT Centre, which is a magnificent contribution from her government and the people of Japan, to the people of the Pacific.

Professor Chandra said, "The Government of Japan has a longstanding relationship with USP, and historically the University has benefited greatly from the support of the Government of Japan and its people".

The Vice-Chancellor went on to say that at USP this is witnessed predominantly in the areas of Marine Studies, ICT, and Distance and Flexible Learning. The Vice-Chancellor explained that the Marine Studies Complex at the Lower Campus, the USPNet Enhancement, the ICT Human Capacity project and the latest - the Japan-Pacific ICT Centre, all bear testament to the enduring relationship between Japan and the University of the South Pacific, and through it, to the people of the Pacific Islands.

The Vice-Minister, Ms Chinami Nishimura, in responding to the Vice-Chancellor's welcome said through her interpreter, "The Japanese Government and the people of Japan hope that the University will utilise the new ICT Centre and its state of the art equipment to its fullest potential, and that it will play a major role and make an impact on the future generations of the people of the Pacific".  

Benefits to the region

An essential role of the Centre is to facilitate high quality research in ICT. Research is needed to identify how ICT can best be used to address the unique problems of the Pacific region; for example, to use ICT to find information about the global markets thus reducing the impact of small markets and large distances between countries. Another area of research is the potential impacts of ICT on the unique cultures of the South Pacific as well as how these technologies might be used to preserve and enhance those cultures. Research is also needed on how businesses, governments and other institutions can best adopt the various facets of ICT advancements experienced in other countries.  

It is envisaged that the Japan-Pacific ICT Centre will be able to generate some revenue by marketing the existing ICT products that USP currently has, increasing the number of training, increasing the number of research projects, renting spaces and working with donors on various ICT projects.

The Centre provides an opportunity for USP to be at the forefront of ICT development in the region. It will be able to provide support and services to all the countries of the region, many of which are quite small, varied in economic development, and separated by large distances. Local economic, social, cultural and other needs must be understood and the impacts and applications of ICT applied locally.

The new Japan-Pacific ICT Centre will provide effective and high quality ICT learning, teaching and training to the people of the Pacific. ICT now pervades all professions and familiarity with the effective applications of ICT, which is crucial to achieve the best possible outcomes. Furthermore, ways must be found to promote the advantages of ICT to secondary schools and, indeed, all sectors of Pacific society.

Media Enquiries

All enquiries should be directed to the USP's Development, Marketing and Communications Office:

Annabel Boud

Manager Marketing & Communications

Ph: +679 323 2024

Mob: +679 9266 210

Fax: +679 323 1551

Email: boud_a@usp.ac.fj

 

Kali Kadonavatu

Media & PR Coordinator

Ph: +679 323 2707

Fax: +679 323 1551

Email: kadonavatu_k@usp.ac.fj

 

For a pdf version of this Press Release, please visit www.usp.ac.fj

Pacific Ministers' declaration on ICT development

22 June, 2010, Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) – Pacific Ministers for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) have committed to further development of the region's ICT systems as a key tool for governance and sustainable livelihoods.

In a declaration made at the Pacific Regional Information & Communication Technology (ICT) Ministers' Meeting in Nuku'alofa, Tonga, they agreed to 'work together to support the advancement of Pacific countries through improved deployment and use of ICTs in our societies; and endorse the concept of 'many partners, one team' in progressing a more coordinated and coherent approach to ICT development'.

Called the Tonga Declaration, the document notes ICT priority issues and development plans. The ministers also endorsed the Framework for Action on ICT for Development for the Pacific and requested SPC to coordinate the implementation of the framework in collaboration with USP, and other regional agencies and development partners.

The ministers agreed that the new framework of action should be reviewed before mid-2013, with a Pacific ICT ministers' meeting to be convened after the review to consider the findings and provide direction to the implementation of the framework.

Ministers also requested that the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) work with the University of the South Pacific, development partners and Pacific Island countries and territories to develop a three year rolling Strategic Action Plan that will be updated annually and to report back on targets set in the framework.

The ministers acknowledged the important role of ICT in meeting the Millennium Development Goals and recalled Resolution 64/187 of the UN General Assembly, which highlighted the importance of partnerships with stakeholders in enhancing access to ICT and its potential to provide new solutions to development challenges.

They noted that the Pacific Plan provides a basis for regional cooperation and integration between Forum countries and considered the unique challenges faced by Pacific small island developing states and territories in establishing ICT systems

Other documents taken into account at the meeting included the Wellington Declaration of the 2006 Pacific Islands Forum Communications Ministers meeting, the 2009 Pacific ICT Ministerial Forum Communiqué that was endorsed by Pacific member states of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and the Cairns Communiqué.

 For more information: please contact Ruci Mafi, Communications & Training Assistant, SPC-RMC (rucim@spc.int); or Siaosi Sovaleni, ICT Outreach Coordinator, SPC-EDD (SiaosiS@spc.int).

PRESS RELEASE ICT officials and ministers from the Pacific to meet in Tonga this week

PRESS RELEASE

ICT officials and ministers from the Pacific to meet in Tonga this week

Secretariat of the Pacific Community, 15 June 2010 – Ministers responsible for information and communication technology (ICT) in Pacific Island nations will gather for a regional meeting in Nuku'alofa, Tonga on 18 June 2010 to endorse important ICT initiatives that are expected to expedite the development of ICT in the region.

The theme for the meeting, 'ICT for development, governance and sustainable livelihoods', symbolises the key role that ICT plays in fostering economic development while enhancing social cohesion, cultural enrichment and environmental conservation.

Prior to the ministerial meeting, ICT government officials will meet from 16–17 June (also in Nuku'alofa) to discuss the issues at length and prepare an outcomes document that will be tabled for endorsement at the ICT ministers meeting on 18 June. 

The meetings are expected to focus on important ICT issues regarding partnerships and coordination; policy, legislation and regulatory frameworks; capacity building; infrastructure and access; international connectivity; cyber security and ICT applications; and review of the Pacific Plan Digital Strategy.  

Another important document that will be tabled for endorsement by ministers is the 'Framework for Action on ICT for Development in the Pacific', which outlines a new approach to developing and improving ICT services in the Pacific region. The framework acknowledges that national ICT policies and plans, and an integrated coordinated approach, are the principle means of steering ICT to contribute meaningfully to sustainable development. The framework also promotes a 'whole of sector' approach, based on the concept of 'many partners, one team'.

About 80 participants are expected to attend the meetings, including representatives of prominent regional and international organisations such as the Commonwealth Secretariat, Council of Europe, International Telecommunication Union, Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, InternetNZ, Pacific Computer Emergency Response Team, Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Pacific Islands Telecommunications Association, Pacific Legislature for Population and Governance, Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme, Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation, University of the South Pacific, United Nations Development Programme, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, and World Bank.

The Secretariat of the Pacific Community is organising the meetings in association with the Government of the Kingdom of Tonga.

For more information, please contact:

Siaosi Sovaleni, ICT Outreach Coordinator, Economic Development Division, SPC, Suva, Fiji. Email: SiaosiS@spc.int; or

Avnita Goundar, Information Officer, Economic Development Division, SPC, Suva, Fiji. Email: AvnitaG@spc.int

PACINET2010 Conference - Next Generation Internet: Security And Governance

Press release

Vanuatu won the bid to host PACINET2010 in Papua New Guinea Last Year
2009. PacINET is a regional conference organize by Pacific Island
Chapter for Internet Society (PICISOC) for practitioners, developers,
researchers and those interested in Information and Communications
Technology (or ICT) from all sectors to exchange information on the
system design, enabling technologies, and anecdotal experiences
related to the use of Information and Communications Technology in the
Pacific Islands. It has evolved to become the Pacific's largest
regular Information and Communications Technology conference.

This year's conference will happen in September 13th to 17th at the
Universityof the South Pacific's (USP), Emalus Campus. The Theme will
center on "Next Generation Internet: Security and Governance

PacINET conference is composed of several types of contributions
including Paper Presentations, Demonstrations, Tutorials and
Workshops, Panel Discussions and Invited Talks. Traditionally PacINET
was a technical conference, but due to member requests (and to cater
for the different member groups present at every conference), from the
2007 conference onwards, PacINET was split into dedicated technical
and non-technical streams. This was deemed to better serve member
needs and travel/work schedules.

Typically, there are various sub-themes centered around the general
conference theme and presentations are made on topics of interest to
ICT in the Pacific including (but not limited to):

* Client-Server Computing
* Computer Applications
* Database Systems
* e-Government
* eHealth
* Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing
* ICT for Development
* ICT Policy
* Internet Security
* Open Source Systems
* Networking and Routing
* Protocols and Standards
* Risk Management
* Rural/Remote Telecommunications
* VoIP and Convergence

The ground work and preparation for the conference is under taken by a
local committee comprises of volunteers of IT community. Most of which
serve in various important sectors such as the Financial Sector,
Education, Government, NGO's and Telecommunications Industry.

Strategically this is an important conference that will inspire ICT
capacity building. Our young and aspiring IT people will be able to
meet and communicate with experts from the region and the world. It is
a well known fact in the Pacific region that, 'Opportunity' is a
defining factor in the people's progress. In the spirit of opening up
opportunity, the conference's admission will be free. Hopefully as the
preparation unfolds we hope to broadcast the excitement to our young
people not only on Efate but on other Islands who are ambitious and
aspiring do work in the IT world and join the rank of IT professional
in Vanuatu who are directing their energy towards issues of equity
which by far characterize the 80% of our population.

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FIJI TO CUT INTERNET CHARGES BY 34 PERCENT

Provider FINTEL faces price regulation

SUVA, Fiji (Fijilive, June 4, 2010) – Fiji's Commerce Commission has
decided to regulate the price of bandwidth sourced from the Fiji
International Telecommunications Limited (FINTEL),effectively bringing
about a reduction in internet charges. Commission chairman Dr Mahendra
Reddy today announced that prices will decrease by as much as 61
percent in the next two years with a reduction of 34.6 percent from
next month.

The regulation will also ensure operators have direct access to the Southern
Cross Cable Network. Reddy said the commission undertook a study on
March 4 to examine if FINTEL had Substantial Market Power (SMP) in
relation to control of Fiji's Landing Station.

"We found that FINTEL had Substantial Market Power in relation to its
control of the Landing Station," he said.

"We concluded such SMP over the Landing Station could be detrimental for the
country as demonstrated by prevailing high bandwidth price offered to
operators obtaining bandwidth from FINTEL."

[PIR editor's note: Fiji International Telecommunications Limited
(FINTEL) is a private company licensed by the Fiji government to
provide Fiji's international telecommunications. The company is
jointly owned by the Government of Fiji (51 percent) and Cable and
Wireless Communications (www.cwc.com) of UK (49 percent).] Reddy said
with the prices of wholesale bandwidth being regulated, the commission
expects retail price to get regulated automatically by an average of
34 percent to benefit the end users. "We want the retail rates to go
down as well and if this does not happen, it means the Internet
Service Providers are keeping the money," he said. He added the
commission will be coming down hard on ISPs who do this.

Source: Pacific Islands Report briefs for Monday, June 7, 2010

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