University of the South Pacific

{{Short description|Oceanian university headquartered in Suva, Fiji}}

{{Infobox university

| name = The University of the South Pacific

| image = OceaniaCentre MatthiasSuessen-8204.jpg

| image_size = 300px

| caption = Oceania Centre for Arts, Culture & Pacific Studies in Suva

| established = {{start date and age|df=yes|1968}}

| chancellor = David Vunagi

| vice_chancellor = Pal Ahluwalia

| students = 29,918 (2017){{cite web |url=http://www.parliament.gov.fj/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/109University-of-the-South-Pacific-Annual-Report-2017.pdf |title=USP Annual Report 2017 |publisher=University of the South Pacific |date= |access-date=13 March 2021}}{{rp|17}}

| undergrad = 16,721(2017){{rp|17}}

| postgrad = 2,933 (2017){{rp|17}}

| academic_staff = 400{{rp|22}}

| administrative_staff = 1,114{{rp|22}}

| type = Public

| city = Suva

| country = Fiji (main campus)

| website = {{url|https://www.usp.ac.fj/}}

}}

The University of the South Pacific (USP) is a public research university with locations spread throughout a dozen countries in Oceania. Established in 1968, the university is organised as an intergovernmental organisation and is owned by the governments of 12 Pacific island countries: the Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.{{Cite web|url=https://www.usp.ac.fj/index.php?id=newstaff_aboutusp|title=USP: About the University|website=www.usp.ac.fj|access-date=2020-02-05}}{{Cite journal|last=Kessler|first=Kim Andreas|date=2021|title=Anthropology at the University of the South Pacific: From past dynamics to present perceptions|url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/taja.12388|journal=The Australian Journal of Anthropology|language=en|volume=32|issue=1|pages=33–53|doi=10.1111/taja.12388|s2cid=233692534 |issn=1757-6547|url-access=subscription}}

USP is an international centre for teaching and research on Pacific culture and environment, with almost 30,000 students in 2017.{{rp|17}} The university's main campus is in Suva, Fiji, with subsidiary campuses in each member state.

History

Discussion of a regional university for the South Pacific began in the early 1950s, when an investigation by the South Pacific Commission recommended the creation of a "central institution" for vocational training in the South Pacific, with a university as a distant goal. In December 1962, the Fijian Legislative Assembly discussed establishing a university in Fiji.{{cite web |url=https://www.usp.ac.fj/news/story.php?id=2826 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210208202949/https://www.usp.ac.fj/news/story.php?id=2826 |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 8, 2021 |title=Treasures of the Past – The Humble Beginnings of USP |publisher=USP |date=5 February 2018 |access-date=13 March 2021 }} In 1964, New Zealand proposed the establishment of a regional teachers' training college in Suva.{{rp|8}}

In 1965, the governments of Great Britain and New Zealand appointed a "Higher Education Mission to the South Pacific", chaired by Sir Charles Morris, to investigate "the future education requirements of the South Pacific area" and recommend the type of level of institutions needed.{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/op1269900-1001 |title=Report of the Higher Education Mission to the South Pacific |author=Charles Morris |publisher=Ministry of Overseas Development |location=London |year=1966 |via=Internet Archive}}{{rp|7}} In 1966 the Mission reported back, recommending the establishment of "fully autonomous university comprehending within itself, as well as Faculties of Arts and Science, the Fiji School of Medicine, the School of Agriculture in Fiji, a College for the education and training of secondary teachers, the Pacific Theological College, and, in so far its activities in the field of diploma courses are concerned, the Derrick Technical Institute".{{rp|24}} The Mission recommended that it be called the University of the South Pacific.{{rp|24}} The former Royal New Zealand Air Force seaplane base at Laucala Bay in Fiji was recommended as a suitable location.{{cite web |url=https://fijianhistory.com/the-university-of-the-south-pacific-(laucala-campus) |title=The University of the South Pacific (Laucala Campus) |publisher=Fijian History |date= |access-date=13 March 2021}} A subsequent report by Norman Alexander fleshed out the proposal, and in 1967 the Fijian government passed an ordinance establishing the university's interim council.{{cite web |url=http://www.paclii.org/fj/legis/num_act/uotspco1967544/ |title=University of the South Pacific (Interim Council) Ordinance 1967 |publisher=PACLII |date=1 August 1967 |access-date=13 March 2021}} In February 1970 this was replaced with a royal charter.{{cite web |url=http://www.paclii.org/fj/legis/consol_act_OK/uotspa340/ |title=University of the South Pacific Act [Cap 266] |publisher=PACLII |date=4 February 1970 |access-date=13 March 2021}}{{rp|46}}

The university opened on 5 February 1968, with Colin Aikman as its first vice-chancellor. Initially teaching was limited to preliminary courses, the equivalent of New Zealand's School Certificate and University Entrance.{{cite book |chapter=Establishment: 1968-74 |last=Aikman |first=Colin M. |pages=35–52 |title=Pacific Universities: Achievements, Problems, Prospects |editor1-first=R. G. |editor1-last=Crocombe |editor2-last=Meleisea |editor2-first=Malama |publisher=University of the South Pacific |date=1988}}{{rp|40}} Degree teaching began in 1969, with a school of natural resources, a school of education, and a school of social and economic development offering interdisciplinary courses. The first graduation ceremony took place on 2 December 1971, with 49 students receiving degrees, diplomas and certificates.

File:PortVilauniversity2.jpg

In the 1970s the university began establishing regional extension centres to deliver continuing education, correspondence and extramural courses.{{rp|41}} It also began to advocate for Pacific regionalism and adopt a distinct "Pacific flavour", with Vice-Chancellor James Maraj arguing that the university should become "truly a university of the peoples of the Pacific".{{cite book |title=A University for the Pacific, 50 Years of USP |editor1-last=Leckie |editor1-first=Jacqueline |publisher=University of the South Pacific |location=Suva |date=2018}}{{rp|58–59}} Its students and academics played a major role in the creative writing scene in the Pacific, with literary journals such as Mana, Faikava and Sinnet arising from its campuses.{{Cite book |last=Long |first=Maebh; Hayward, Matthew |title=The Rise of Pacific Literature: Decolonization, Radical Campuses, and Modernism |publisher=Columbia University Press |year=2024 |isbn=9780231217453}}

In 1976 it established the Institute of Pacific Studies under Professor Ron Crocombe to deepen students' awareness of Pacific identity and the region.{{rp|63}} Over the next 20 years, the institute published works by over 2,000 Pacific authors.{{rp|63}} A foundation course in Pacific studies is still included in every USP undergraduate programme.{{cite web |url=https://www.usp.ac.fj/index.php?id=8815 |title=Pacific Studies |publisher=University of the South Pacific |date= |access-date=14 March 2021 |quote=UU204 Pacific Worlds is one of four generic University courses included in all USP undergraduate programmes.}}

In 1977 the government of Western Samoa leased the South Pacific Regional College of Tropical Agriculture in Alafua to the university to establish a school of agriculture.{{cite book |chapter=Outreach: 1975-83 |last=Brosnahan |first=Frank |pages=55–72 |title=Pacific Universities: Achievements, Problems, Prospects |editor1-first=R. G. |editor1-last=Crocombe |editor2-last=Meleisea |editor2-first=Malama |publisher=University of the South Pacific |date=1988}}{{rp|56}} It is now the university's Alafua campus. In 1989 it opened the Emalus campus in Vanuatu,{{rp|103}} which since 1996 has hosted the university's law school and the Pacific Islands Legal Information Institute.{{rp|121}} In 1991 the Republic of the Marshall Islands became the university's 12th member country.{{rp|106}} An extension campus was opened there in 1993. In 2012 the university opened a Confucius Institute at the Laucula campus in partnership with the Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications.{{cite news |url=https://www.jica.go.jp/project/fiji/002/materials/ku57pq00000kj68b-att/usp_vol11_201209.pdf |title=Confucius Institute Opens In Regional University |work=USPBeat |volume=11 |issue=9 |page=4 |date=2012 |access-date=13 March 2021}} In 2017 the university supplemented its governance arrangements with the University of the South Pacific Convention, providing for the recognition of the university by its member-states.{{cite web |url=http://www.pireport.org/articles/2017/05/29/eight-member-countries-sign-historic-university-south-pacific-convention |title=Eight Member Countries Sign Historic University Of The South Pacific Convention |publisher=Pacific Islands Report |date=29 May 2017 |access-date=13 March 2021}} The convention came into force on 16 June 2018.{{cite web |url=https://fijisun.com.fj/2018/05/19/two-countries-ratify-usp-convention/ |title=Two Countries Ratify USP Convention |publisher=Fiji Sun |date=19 May 2018 |access-date=13 March 2021}}

Governance

The university is governed by a council, chaired by the pro-chancellor. The council consists of the ministers of education of member states, additional representatives from Fiji, Samoa, Australia and New Zealand, staff and student representatives, and additional members co-opted by the council.{{cite web |url=https://www.usp.ac.fj/index.php?id=10155 |title=The Council |publisher=University of the South Pacific |date= |url-status= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214083117/https://www.usp.ac.fj/index.php?id=10155 |archive-date=14 February 2021}} The titular head of the council is the chancellor, a position which rotates among the heads of state and heads of government of the university's members. The Governor General of the Solomon Islands, David Vunagi, has served as chancellor since 1 July 2023.{{cite web |title=Current Chancellor |url=https://www.usp.ac.fj/usp-governance-council-senate-secretariat/chancellor/ |website=www.usp.ac.fj |access-date=28 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240128034316/https://www.usp.ac.fj/usp-governance-council-senate-secretariat/chancellor/ |archive-date=28 January 2024 |url-status=live}} An independent University Grants Committee meets every three years to advise member and donor countries on funding levels.

The following people have held the role of vice-chancellor:{{cite web |url=http://50.usp.ac.fj/VCs.php |title=Vice-Chancellors |publisher=USP |date= |access-date=14 March 2021}}

Colin Aikman (1968–1974)
James Maraj (1975–1982)
Frank Brosnahan (1982–1983)
Geoffrey Caston (1983–1992)
Esekia Solofa (1992–2001)
Savenaca Siwatibau (2001–2003)
Anthony Tarr (2005–2007)
Rajesh Chandra (2007–2018)
Pal Ahluwalia (2018–present)

=Dispute with Fijian government=

In 2019, Ahluwalia raised concerns about mismanagement and abuse of office at USP under the leadership of Vice-Chancellor Rajesh Chandra.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/397959/usp-to-enforce-report-on-mismanagement-and-abuse-of-office|title= USP to enforce report on mismanagement and abuse of office|website= Radio New Zealand|date= 2 September 2019|access-date=2020-06-22}} An investigation by New Zealand accounting firm BDO substantiated the allegations, and the report was subsequently leaked online.{{Cite web|url=https://www.scribd.com/document/465914749/Bdo-Report-PDF|title=BDO report about mismanagement at USP|access-date=2020-06-22}} In June 2020, a special council meeting led by Pro-Chancellor Winston Thompson suspended Ahluwalia for unspecified "misconduct".{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/418628/commotion-at-usp-over-vice-chancellor-s-suspension |title=Commotion at USP over Vice-Chancellor's suspension |publisher=RNZ |date=10 June 2020 |access-date=26 December 2022}} Staff protesting the suspension were questioned by Fijian police.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/419140/usp-saga-continues-with-fiji-police-questioning-of-staff |title=USP saga continues with Fiji police questioning of staff |publisher=RNZ |date=16 June 2020 |access-date=26 December 2022}} On 19 June Ahluwalia was reinstated by a full meeting of the USP council,{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/419420/usp-council-reinstates-suspended-vc |title=USP Council reinstates suspended VC |publisher=RNZ |date=19 June 2020 |access-date=26 December 2022}} and the allegations against him were dismissed in September 2020.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/425276/usp-vice-chancellor-cleared |title=USP Vice-Chancellor cleared |publisher=RNZ |date=4 September 2020 |access-date=26 December 2022}}

The Fijian government refused to accept Ahluwalia's exoneration and on 24 September 2020 halted all funding to the university.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/426829/usp-crisis-continues-as-fiji-govt-halts-funding |title=USP crisis continues as Fiji govt halts funding |publisher=RNZ |date=24 September 2020 |access-date=26 December 2022}} On 4 February 2021, the Fijian government summarily deported Ahluwalia for being "a person who is or has been conducting himself in a manner prejudicial to the peace, defence, public safety, public order, public morality, public health, security or good government of the Fiji Islands".{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/435776/head-of-pacific-university-to-be-deported-by-fiji |title=Head of Pacific university to be deported by Fiji |publisher=RNZ |date=4 February 2021 |access-date=4 February 2021}}{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/05/whistleblower-vice-chancellor-deported-after-midnight-raid-by-fiji-police |title=Whistleblower vice-chancellor deported after midnight raid by Fiji police |author=Ben Doherty |work=The Guardian |date=4 February 2021 |access-date=5 February 2021}}{{cite web |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-02-04/fiji-pal-ahluwalia-vc-deportation-university-of-south-pacific/13120256 |title=Fiji deports Australian university professor during 'incredibly damaging' day for Pacific unity |author=Liam Fox |publisher=ABC News |date=4 February 2021 |access-date=5 February 2021}}{{cite web |url=https://asiapacificreport.nz/2021/02/04/fiji-immigration-officials-police-detain-usp-chief-ahluwalia-reports-radio/ |title=Fiji immigration officials, police deport USP chief Ahluwalia in swoop |publisher=Asia-Pacific Report |date=4 February 2021 |access-date=5 February 2021}} In response to Fiji government interference in the regional university, Samoa has proposed moving USP's headquarters to Samoa.{{cite web |url=https://www.samoaobserver.ws/category/editorial/78642 |title=The Prof. Ahluwalia saga: Fiji's fall from grace |publisher=Samoa Observer |date=5 February 2021 |access-date=5 February 2021}} Following Ahluwalia's deportation, Masasso Pāunga was appointed acting vice-chancellor by the USP Council.{{cite web |url=https://www.fijivillage.com/feature/Ahluwalia-says-he-will-continue-to-head-USP-from-Nauru-x5fr48/ |title=Ahluwalia and his wife to serve 14 days quarantine in Australia before going to Nauru |publisher=Fiji Village |author=Vijay Narayan |date=5 February 2021 |access-date=5 February 2021}} The Council also established a subcommittee to investigate the deportation.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/435884/usp-appoints-acting-vc-to-probe-ahluwalia-deportation |title=USP appoints acting vc, to probe Ahluwalia deportation |publisher=RNZ |date=5 February 2021 |access-date=5 February 2021}}

Following Ahluwalia's deportation, Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaʻepa Saʻilele Malielegaoi announced that Samoa would be willing to provide a new home for the university.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/436212/samoa-goes-public-with-bid-for-usp |title=Samoa goes public with bid for USP |author=Dominic Godfrey |publisher=RNZ |date=11 February 2021 |access-date=11 February 2021}} On 25 May the university's council issued a new three-year contract to Ahluwalia and relocate the vice-chancellor's office to the Alafua Campus in Apia, Samoa.{{cite web |url=https://islandsbusiness.com/islands-business/news-break/university-of-the-south-pacific-vc-to-be-reinstated/ |title=University of the South Pacific VC Ahluwalia gets new contract |author=Samisoni Pareti |publisher=Islands Business |date=25 May 2021 |access-date=25 May 2021}} In August 2021 the Fijian government announced that it would not fund the university as long as Ahluwalia was vice-chancellor.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/449534/fiji-govt-says-it-won-t-fund-university-while-professor-is-vp |title=Fiji govt says it won't fund university while professor is VP |publisher=RNZ |date=19 August 2021 |access-date=19 August 2021}}

Following the 2022 Fijian general election, the new government led by Sitiveni Rabuka revoked the prohibition order on Ahluwalia{{cite web |url=https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/rabuka-directs-lifting-of-prohibition-orders/ |title=Rabuka directs lifting of prohibition orders |publisher=FBC News |author=Apenisa Waqairadovu |date=26 December 2022 |access-date=26 December 2022 |archive-date=26 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221226020130/https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/rabuka-directs-lifting-of-prohibition-orders/ |url-status=dead }} and reinstated funding to USP.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/481482/fiji-govt-to-reinstate-usp-grant-contributions |title=Fiji govt to reinstate USP grant contributions |publisher=RNZ |date=27 December 2022 |access-date=27 December 2022}} In March 2023 former Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama and former police commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho were charged with abuse of office for allegedly terminating the police investigation into the 2019 claims of financial mismanagement.{{cite web |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-03-09/former-fiji-prime-minister-frank-bainimarama-charged/102069086 |title=Fiji police charge former prime minister Frank Bainimarama with abuse of office |publisher=ABC News |date=9 March 2023 |access-date=9 March 2023}}{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/485654/former-fiji-pm-bainimarama-and-suspended-top-cop-charged |title=Former Fiji PM Bainimarama and suspended top cop charged |publisher=RNZ |date=9 March 2023 |access-date=9 March 2023}}

=Protest and Strike Action 2024=

In second half of 2024, the relationship between the USP Staff Association and the Vice Chancellor got bitter after Dr Osborne-Naikatini was sacked for expressing an opinion about the lack of due processes being followed for the renewal of the contract of the Vice Chancellor.{{cite web |url=https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/usp-staff-unions-question-termination-of-dr-osborne-naikatini/ |title=

USP staff unions question termination of Dr. Osborne-Naikatini|publisher=FBC News |date=16 July 2024 |access-date=27 August 2024}} This issue led to USPSA calling for removal of Vice Chancellor Pal Ahluwalia from the university and call for strike action with 95 percent majority vote to go to strike.{{cite web |url=https://islandsbusiness.com/news-break/usp-fiji-staff-vote-to-go-on-strike-for-the-second-time-in-5-months/ |title=USP Fiji staff vote to go on strike for the second time in 5 months |publisher=Island Business |date=16 August 2024 |access-date=27 August 2024}}

=Rankings=

The Times Higher Education World University Rankings ranked USP in 1001-1200th for 2024.{{cite web |url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/university-south-pacific |title=University of the South Pacific |publisher=THE World University Rankings |date=|access-date=23 December 2021}}

In 2021, the university was ranked in 1001-1200th by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings.{{cite web |url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/university-south-pacific |title=University of the South Pacific |publisher=THE World University Rankings |date=27 September 2023|access-date=28 January 2024}} The university claimed that this translated to being ranked in the top 10% of universities in the world,{{cite web |url=https://www.usp.ac.fj/news/usp-ranked-amongst-the-top-10-percent-of-universities-in-the-world/ |title=USP Ranked Amongst the Top 10% of Universities in the World |publisher=University of the South Pacific |date=10 September 2021 |access-date=23 December 2021}} leading to criticism that they were exaggerating their ranking.{{cite web |url=https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/education/usps-top-10-world-ranking-questioned/ |title=USP's top 10% world ranking questioned |author=Edwin Nand |publisher=FBC News |date=9 September 2021 |access-date=23 December 2021 |archive-date=4 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404114141/https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/education/usps-top-10-world-ranking-questioned/ |url-status=dead }}

Campuses

File:USP Bure MatthiasSuessen-8193.jpg

File:University of South Pacific, Kiribati Campus, outside.jpg

File:University of the South Pacific, Honiara.jpg

Despite its multi-campus nature, the USP is not a university system. It is a single university with several branches across the Pacific Region. USP's Laucala campus in Fiji is the main campus of the University, also serving as its administrative centre.{{Cite web|title=USP: USP - An Introduction|url=https://www.usp.ac.fj/index.php?id=usp_introduction|access-date=2020-08-03|website=www.usp.ac.fj}} USP's main campus, called Laucala, lies on Laucala Bay in Fiji's capital of Suva. It also has two other satellite campuses in Fiji: Labasa and Lautoka. The Alafua campus in Samoa hosts the School of Agriculture and Food Technology. The Emalus campus in Vanuatu is the location for the School of Law.{{Cite web|url=http://50.usp.ac.fj/campus.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171029162519/http://50.usp.ac.fj/campus.php|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 29, 2017|title=Regional Campuses: USP's 50th Anniversary website|website=50.usp.ac.fj|access-date=2020-02-05}} The Nuku-alofa campus in Tonga is where the Institute for Education, directed by Seu'ula Johansson-Fua is based.{{Cite web|date=2018-07-05|title=Establishment of Network for Educational Research promises to improve education outcomes across Pacific|url=https://www.saipantribune.com/index.php/establishment-of-network-for-educational-research-promises-to-improve-education-outcomes-across-pacific/|access-date=2020-06-15|website=Saipan News, Headlines, Events, Ads {{!}} Saipan Tribune|language=en-US}}

USP operates 11 regional centres based in Pacific islands countries. The region served by USP covers 33 million km² of the Pacific Ocean, an area more than three times the size of Europe. In contrast, the total land mass of territories served corresponds to the area of Denmark. Populations of member countries vary from Tokelau with 1,500 people to Fiji with more than 900,000 people. (The population of the region is about 1.3 million.)

The following are the extension campuses of the university, aside from its campuses in Fiji, Samoa, and Vanuatu.

class="wikitable sortable"
width=140\|Centres !width=140\|Town !width=140\|Country !width=140\|Established
USP Cook Islands \| Rarotonga \| {{flag\|Cook Islands}} \| 1975
USP Emalus \| Port Vila \| {{flag\|Vanuatu}} \|
USP Kiribati \| Teaoraereke \| {{flag\|Kiribati}} \| 1978
USP Marshall Islands \| Majuro \| {{flag\|Marshall Islands}} \| 1993
USP Nauru \| Yaren \| {{flag\|Nauru}} \| 1987
USP Niue \| Alofi \| {{flag\|Niue}} \| 1972
USP Samoa \| Apia \| {{flag\|Samoa}} \|
USP Solomon Islands \| Honiara \| {{flag\|Solomon Islands}} \|
USP Tokelau \| Atafu \| {{flag\|Tokelau}} \| 1984
USP Tonga \| Nukuʻalofa \| {{flag\|Tonga}} \| 1971
USP Tuvalu \| Funafuti \| {{flag\|Tuvalu}} \| 1970

class="wikitable sortable"

width=140|Centres

!width=140|Town

!width=140|Country

!width=140|Established

USP Cook Islands

| Rarotonga

| {{flag|Cook Islands}}

| 1975

USP Emalus

| Port Vila

| {{flag|Vanuatu}}

USP Kiribati

| Teaoraereke

| {{flag|Kiribati}}

| 1978

USP Marshall Islands

| Majuro

| {{flag|Marshall Islands}}

| 1993

USP Nauru

| Yaren

| {{flag|Nauru}}

| 1987

USP Niue

| Alofi

| {{flag|Niue}}

| 1972

USP Samoa

| Apia

| {{flag|Samoa}}

USP Solomon Islands

| Honiara

| {{flag|Solomon Islands}}

USP Tokelau

| Atafu

| {{flag|Tokelau}}

| 1984

USP Tonga

| Nukuʻalofa

| {{flag|Tonga}}

| 1971

USP Tuvalu

| Funafuti

| {{flag|Tuvalu}}

| 1970

Faculties and courses

After undergoing a restructuring process in early 2021, USP is organized into eight main faculties that include the following disciplines:

School of Accounting, Finance and Economics (SAFE)
Accounting & Finance
Economics
School of Business and Management (SBM)
Tourism & Hospitality Management
Management and Public Administration
Land Management & Development
Graduate School of Business
School of Information Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Physics (STEMP)
Engineering and Physics
Computing, Information & Mathematical Science
School of Agriculture, Geography, Environment, Ocean and Natural Sciences (SAGEONS)
Agriculture & Food Technology
Biological & Chemical Sciences
Geography, Earth Science and Environment
Marine Studies
School of Law and Social Sciences (SoLaSS)
Law
Government, Development & International Affairs
Social Sciences
School of Pacific Arts, Communication and Education (SPACE)
Education
Language, Arts & Media
Oceania Centre for Arts, Culture & Pacific Studies
Pacific Centre for Environment and Sustainable Development (PACE-SD)
Pacific TAFE (PTAFE){{cite web | author=The University of the South Pacific | title=USP: The University of the South Pacific | website=USP | date=3 December 2020 | url=https://www.usp.ac.fj/ | access-date=5 March 2021}}
College of Foundation Studies
College of Continuing Vocational Education and Training (CVET). Among many other qualifications, the Diploma of Library and Information Services (Level 5) is available at this institution, a library technician qualification{{cite web |url=https://www.usp.ac.fj/fileadmin/files/services/cce/2018/CAH/DIPLOMA_OF_LIBRARY_AND_INFORMATION_SERVICES.pdf |title=The Diploma of Library and Information Services (Level 5) |publisher=USP |access-date=2021-03-05 |archive-date=2021-03-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210305004149/https://www.usp.ac.fj/fileadmin/files/services/cce/2018/CAH/DIPLOMA_OF_LIBRARY_AND_INFORMATION_SERVICES.pdf |url-status=dead }} which is recognised in Australia as a paraprofessional library qualification.{{cite web | title=Library Technicians | website=Australian Library and Information Association | url=https://www.alia.org.au/library-technicians | access-date=5 March 2021}}

Notable academics and staff

{{See also|Category:Academic staff of the University of the South Pacific}}

Marjorie Crocombe – author
Ron Crocombe – father of Pacific Studies
Sitiveni Halapua – politician
Epeli Hauʻofa – anthropologist/sociologist/social scientist
Elisabeth Holland – climate scientist
Brij Lal – historian
Biman Prasad – politician
Mahendra Reddy – politician
Ganesh Chand – politician
Tupeni Baba – politician
Teleiai Lalotoa Mulitalao – lawyer
Virginia Tilley – political scientist
Konai Helu Thaman – poet and educator
Albert Wendt – novelist and literary scholar
Subramani – short story writer and literary scholar

Notable alumni

USP has produced a number of graduates that have played important roles in the South Pacific region. Its alumni include Mark Brown, Prime Minister of the Cook Islands, Elizabeth Iro, WHO Chief Nursing Officer, Ludwig Scotty, former President of Nauru; Bikenibeu Paeniu, former Prime Minister of Tuvalu; ʻAkilisi Pōhiva, former Prime Minister of Tonga; Joe Natuman, former Prime Minister of Vanuatu; archaeologist Tarisi Vunidilo, Solomon Islands women's activist Alice Pollard, women's rights activist Michelle Reddy, and Tongan environmental scientist Netatua Pelesikoti.

Contemporary Pacific Art Collection

USP has a large Contemporary Pacific Art collection, including works by Rennie Peyroux, Mike Tavioni, Eruera Nia, Ian George, Kay George, Mahiriki Tangaroa, Apii Rongo, Varu Samuel, Krick Barraud, Joan Gragg, Nanette Lela’ulu, Johnny Penisula, Filipe Tohi, Sam Thomas and Dominique Crocombe.{{Cite web |title=Public Art Collection Catalogue |url=https://www.usp.ac.fj/usp-cook-islands/wp-content/uploads/sites/114/2022/04/14053220-20USP20Cook20Island20Art20Catalogue20v01.pdf |access-date=2024-08-23 |website=The University of the South Pacific}}

References

External links

{{Official website|https://www.usp.ac.fj/}}

Sources

{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/op1269900-1001 |title=Report of the Higher Education Mission to the South Pacific |author=Charles Morris |publisher=Ministry of Overseas Development |location=London |year=1966 |via=Internet Archive}}
{{cite book |title=Pacific Universities: Achievements, Problems, Prospects |editor1-first=R. G. |editor1-last=Crocombe |editor2-last=Meleisea |editor2-first=Malama |publisher=University of the South Pacific |date=1988}}
{{cite book |title=A University for the Pacific, 50 Years of USP |editor1-last=Leckie |editor1-first=Jacqueline |publisher=University of the South Pacific |location=Suva |date=2018}}
Kessler, K.A. [https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/taja.12388 Anthropology at the University of the South Pacific: From past dynamics to present perceptions]. Aust J Anthropol. 2021;32:33– 53. [https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/taja.12388 https://doi.org/10.1111/ taja.12388]
Long, Maebh; Hayward, Matthew (2024). [https://cup.columbia.edu/book/the-rise-of-pacific-literature/9780231217453/ The Rise of Pacific Literature: Decolonization, Radical Campuses, and Modernism]. Columbia University Press.

Category:Universities and colleges in Oceania

Category:Members of the International Council for Science

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Category:Universities and colleges in the Marshall Islands

Category:Universities and colleges in Samoa

Category:Universities and colleges in the Solomon Islands

Category:Universities and colleges in Tonga

Category:Universities and colleges in Tuvalu

Category:Universities and colleges in Vanuatu

Category:Educational institutions established in 1968

Category:1968 establishments in Fiji

Category:Members of the International Science Council