In this Issue
TUVALU
Plants of
Humble and dedicated graduate, FSTE Mentor, Kushaal Kritesh Raj was the proud recipient of the VCs award. To celebrate the outstanding achievements of the Faculty of Science, Technology and Environment (FSTE) gold medal recipients who graduated in April 2013 at Laucala Graduation, a morning tea was hosted and tokens presented to each recipient by the Dean of FSTE, Associate Professor Dr. Anjeela Jokhan. Faculty staff, some of whom had been lecturers, tutors and mentors of these students attended the function. The majority of these gold medal recipients have taken up the Graduate Assistant scholarships to pursue further studies in the Faculty. Kushaal Kirtesh Raj (ViceChancellors Prize for the male graduate with the best combined academic performance and record of service to the community) Joape Ganitoga Ginigini (for most outstanding Master of Science thesis)
Avikesh Asheek Kumar and Nilesh Nirvaan Bilimoria (for outstanding overall results in Postgraduate Diploma) Nishchal Shivam Rai (for most outstanding graduate in FSTE and Mechanical/ Manufacturing Engineering) Komal Shandil (for most outstanding graduate with majors in Biology and Chemistry) Shelvin Chand (for most outstanding graduate with a major in Computing Science) Judith Beverly Foong Sui Giblin (for most outstanding graduate with major in Environmental Science) Edgar Haak (for most outstanding graduate with a major in Geography) Vijay Kumar (for most outstanding graduate with a major in Information Systems) Samit Sanjesh Prasad (for most outstanding graduate with a major in Physics)
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2013 began with a difference for first year students of the Faculty of Science, Technology and Environment (FSTE). As learning and teaching evolves with increasing use of ICT tools together with globalization, the needs of our 21st Century Pacific Island students must be accommodated. At the same time the Faculty endorses the University of the South Pacifics vision: Achieving excellence and innovation for sustainable development of the Pacific Island countries. For the last three consecutive years, enrolments at FSTE have continued to escalate as more people in the regional communities realize the importance of science in their daily lives as well as the opportunities in the job markets. The vigorous advertising through television, outreach in various communities, the Ivi Triangle enrolment drives, radio talk shows and road shows were all worth the while. A dynamic team of FSTE staff and students led by the Associate Dean Learning and Teaching, Associate Professor Bibhya Sharma, collaborated and worked tirelessly to assist and encourage new students to make meaningful enrolment choices and at the same time facilitate a smooth transition from their previous institutions to the USP life.
(ACTS) programme was conducted for sponsored students from the region from 29th January to 8th February. In the two weeks, participants learnt study and survival skills through interactive activities and information sessions. In the cultural exchange, students proudly showcased their culture through lively items. Certificates were awarded and the students came away confident to embrace the new semester.
Interested readers are welcome to view the contents of these modules through http://www.usp.ac.fj/index.php?id=11099 Free Digicel SIM cards and a chance to win prizes at a draw were rewards given to the attendees. FSTE is grateful to the sponsors: Digicel, Technix, Office Products, Form Scaff, Vodafone, Star Printery Ltd. and University Book Centre. All these initiatives culminated in the Welcome and Greet programme hosted by the Dean, Associate Professor Anjeela Jokhan, on 22nd February at the Oceania Centre for Arts, Culture and Pacific Studies. She welcomed the new students and introduced the key contact people for the students such as the Deans, Heads of School, secretaries and administration staff, laboratory technicians, Student Learning Support team and the Mentors, and staff and student representatives were introduced. A highlight was the draw of the prizes for the Refresher Programme. Those who had been faithfully attending the sessions were duly rewarded with certificates of participation. The prizes included tablets, smart phones, headphones, USB, and book vouchers. Audience prizes of rugby balls were given to those who were able to answer quiz questions. The crowd was treated to sensational and exotic entertainment by the Vou Dance Group and the evening ended with food and fellowship.
A historic and timely Refresher Programme consisting of 10 interesting one-hour modules was especially developed and implemented for the first year students by FSTEs highly qualified staff. During Orientation Week and Week 1 of the semester, the new students attended these modules which initiated them into the required skills and information to ensure that they were well equipped to face the challenges of university life and hit the ground running. Several parallel sessions were conducted throughout the week at the students convenience, so that they could still participate in other Orientation Week activities and attend lectures. The topics included:
Going to a new large institution can be a daunting experience, but the new programmes that were put in place to orientate the first year students gave them the edge in the new environment and its unique yet exciting demands. To begin with, the Academic and Cultural Orientation for Tertiary students
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Mathematics Software; ICT Tools, Learning Labs Safety to Facility; Time Management and Study Skills; Mlearning; Early Warning System; Understanding Course Outlines; Moodle Learning Management System; Turnitin and Plagarism; and Remedial Mathematics.
The Faculty of Science, Technology and Environment (FSTE) in conjunction with the Pacific Centre for Environment and Sustainable Development (PACE-SD) organised the first ever regional secondary schools quiz on climate change called The Climate Zone. The Climate Zone was organised as part of the ongoing projects of the AusAID (Future Climate Leaders Project) and European Union (Global Climate Change Alliance project) to bring about awareness on the issue of climate change, mitigation, adaptation and related issues for the sustainable future of our island nations. Secondary schools from a total of five Pacific Island countries (PICs) (Fiji, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu) participated in this competition. National competitions were held in each of these PICs during June to October and the winning schools participated in the Climate Zone Regional Finals that was held at the USP Laucala Campus in December, 2012. The following were the national winners: Rishikul Sanatan College (Fiji), Avele College (Samoa), Liahona High School (Tonga), St. Joseph Tenaru National Secondary School (Solomon Islands) and Central College (Vanuatu). After a series of
ten games, Rishikul Sanatan College and St. Joseph Tenaru National Secondary School scored the highest and second highest points respectively, and competed in the Climate Zone Regional Finals. Rishikul Sanatan College was declared the winner and received the Climate Zone Trophy along with FJD1500. The team members each received FJD150. St. Joseph Tenaru National Secondary School, being the
runner-up school received FJD1000, while the team members each received FJD100. The Climate Zone quiz competition was well acknowledged by the people of Fiji and other PICs due to the awareness that was created on climate change issues. The Climate Zone Regional Finals was televised on Fiji One between February and March, 2013.
Regional Secondary Schools during the Climate Zone Quiz @ Laucala Campus, USP
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PACE-Net participants
The Vice Chancellor and the President of USP, Professor Rajesh Chandra, initiated the Tablet Learning Project (TLP) to enhance learning in the region. 600 USP students in the region were each handed a free tablet computer this semester to use for their studies. Students enrolled in the Mathematics, Information Systems, Economics, Tourism and Education disciplines at the Alafua, Emalus, Kiribati, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Lautoka and Labasa campuses received this new learning tool. Staff coordinating these distance and flexible learning courses were also recipients. With these tablets, the students have the added advantage of accessing their course materials at any time from any location using the Wi-Fi facility at the
campuses to access Internet. The tablets were pre-loaded with course materials, supplements and applications at the convenience of the students. The tablets are light and easy to carry compared to the big load of print materials the students are normally required to carry with them to their classes. This portable nature also means that the tablets can be taken to classrooms, field-trips, tutorials, lectures and basically anywhere enabling them to read, take notes, store and share information with their peers and instructors. Appreciation of this generous gesture was bestowed by the recipients to Professor Rajesh Chandra and all who were part of this project. In addition, The project is seen as a significant step by USP towards
Tonga campus
Samoa campus
Kiribati campus
Lautoka campus
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Mr Kabini Afia from Solomon Islands receiving his informal prize for being voted the best student for helping to learn
The Food Security Audit Workshop was held at the PRIDE Conference Room and the ICT Lab on the 12th of March 2013. The workshop was facilitated by Dr Jimaima Lako, Senior Lecturer in Food Science and Dr. David Rohindra, Senior Lecturer in Chemistry. Dr Lako said that the USP Strategic Plan 2013-2018 stipulates moving the university from Good to Excellent and the university is generally working towards achieving its plan. Being relevant to the society is an important aspect of this strategic plan, where the university needs to showcase how to address the various needs and demands of the regional
countries. Food Security is one of the challenging issues in the region. Food security is when all people at all times have physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that meets their nutritional needs. It encompasses food availability, accessibility, utilization and food system stability. Dr Lako highlighted that this audit exercise is the first step towards the realization of whether USP is really addressing food security and to what extent. In addressing Food Security in the region, we may also be able to identify
Mark Stephens
Plants of Tuvalu
Thaman, Fihaki and Fong
TUVALU
Plants of
Furthermore, Professor Thaman alongside Geography graduates Eliala Fihaki and > Teddy Fong, have just published Plants of Tuvalu: Laakau mo Mouki o Tuvalu by the USP Press (259 pp.) with support from SPC, UNDP, the Tuvalu Environment Department and the USP Research Office.
ISBN 978-982-01-0898-1 9 789820 108981
Plants of Tuvalu recently published by Thaman, Fihaki and Fong, USP Press
Dr. Weber (2nd from right) amongst other delegates at the 4th Academic Advisory Board meeting of the ACP Observatory on Migration
Monil Dutt , Mohammed Illiyaz and Ashneel Deo, showing off their 50W wind turbine design
navigational buoy is intended to be used to warn ships and boats of hazardous reefs and other dangers at sea. The buoy lights were powered solely by the energy generated from the waves. The wave powered device is the first of its kind built
in the region and the design will be used as a platform for future projects. Continued on Page 10
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s welcome evening
Roadshow in Lautok
FREE Digicel sims and $10 talk time for refresher participants
Students attending FS
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holars ACIAR sc
hip recipie
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