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