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The Cook Islands comprise 15 islands scattered over an area of nearly 2 million square kilometres of ocean. Pending the development of USPNet communications with the outer islands, USP services are offered on Rarotonga (population 10,572) and to those islands with regular air services – viz, Aitutaki (population 1,771), Mangaia (562), Atiu (468), Mauke (300), Mitiaro (189), Tongareva/Pehrhyn (213) and Manihiki (238). Rakahanga (77) together with Nassau (73) and Palmerston (60) have no regular air services and remain unserviced by USP. Efforts are underway to support a B.Ed (Primary) cohort on the remote island of Pukapuka (population 451). In 2013 small study centres are to be initiated on the islands of Mangaia and Mauke with plans for further centres on Atiu, Aitutaki and Mitiaro in 2014. USP Cook Islands was established in the old hospital building in Tupapa, Rarotonga, in July 1975. From there, the Campus moved to its current location at Takamoa and was officially opened on 18 July 1979. USP Cook Islands is built on part of Puaau Section 161, Ngatipa Tapere, in Avarua, Rarotonga. The land was acquired through a Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Cook Islands and the University of the South Pacific. The agreement provides for Perpetual Rights of Renewal of Thirty (30) years, commencing from 1 June 1976 with an annual rental of ten (10) cents. The agreement was renewed for a further 30 years in May, 2006. In addition, in 2006, USP Cook Islands was gifted a 60 year lease over 15 acres of land in the southern area of Rarotonga for a new campus on the condition (stipulated in a joint MOA) that it develop a centre for Cook Islands traditional knowledge. Extensive plans were developed for a new campus but to date no building work has been undertaken on this site. In 2012, the University’s premises at Tamakoa were expanded under a $700,000 grant from AusAID, providing new office space, a new classroom and a student lounge/ computer room. In the 36 year period from USP’s inception in 1968 to 2004, the university graduated 101 Cook Islanders with Bachelors degrees via on-campus [Laucala based] studies. In the past 10 years, USP has graduated a further 295 students (indicated below by level of award). Since 2004, almost all USP students (95%) have commenced and completed their awards entirely in-country through USP Cook Islands. Year | Cert | Dip | Degree | PGCert | PGDip | Masters | Prof Dip | Total | 2004 | 3 | 4 | 9 | | | | | 16 | 2005 | 3 | 12 | 13 | | | 1 | 1 | 30 | 2006 | 2 | 1 | 1 | | | 1 | 2 | 7 | 2007 | 1 | | 8 | | | | | 9 | 2008 | 1 | 2 | 5 | | | 3 | 1 | 12 | 2009 | | 2 | 19 | | 1 | 28 | 2 | 52 | 2010 | | 1 | 3 | | | 1 | | 5 | 2011 | 2 | 10 | 8 | 2 | 37 | 30 | 3 | 92 | 2012 | | 1 | 3 | | 6 | | | 10 | 2013 | 11 | 9 | 5 | | 20 | 17 | | 62 | Total | 23 | 42 | 74 | 2 | 64 | 81 | 9 | 295 | USP Cook Islands graduates are now able to take up opportunities for postgraduate research at doctoral level, under an innovative USP regional scholarship program that supports in-country research, with full in-country supervision.
The data presented here does not include a further 75 students who have completed or are still undertaking courses (Masters in Art and Design [6 students have graduated], Grad Cert Project Management [62 students of whom 40 have graduated], M.Phil [7 students],etc) at other universities, initiated, administered or facilitated by USP Cook Islands since 2004.
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