Welcome to Regional Scholarship Team (RST)

Welcome to the Regional Scholarship Team (RST) website. This department was established as a result of the Contract signed between USP and the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID). RST exists to provide services to students from the university's 12 countries who study under the Australian Awards Pacific Scholarships (AAPS) funding. RST began serving sponsored students at Laucala Campus with effect from Semester 1 2007.

The Contract was renewed in July 2010 and now includes an extension of RST services to AAPS sponsored students studying at Alafua and Emalus Campuses. Under this new Contract, the unit has come under the leadership and supervision of the Director of Development, Marketing and Communication under the Vice Chancellors portfolio. This is a new step that reflects the commitment of USP towards AAPS student’s education and achievement, thus supporting Australian Government’s commitment to the development of the Pacific region.

About ARDS..

The overall objective of Australia’s development cooperation program is to advance Australia’s national interest by assisting developing countries to reduce poverty and achieve sustainable development. The aid program concentrates on five priority sectors - health; education; infrastructure; agriculture and rural development; and, governance. These sectors take into account critical issues that cut across the development process such as gender, environment and HIV/AIDS. The Australian Regional Development Scholarships (ARDS) contribute to human resource development for partner countries and have a direct impact on development in key sectors. ARDS provide the opportunity for individuals from developing Pacific Island countries to undertake studies at post-secondary education institutions in the region. The purpose of the scholarships is for Pacific Islanders to gain knowledge and skills that will help develop their home country.

About RST

The Regional Scholarship Team (RST) was established in June 2006 as an outcome of the Contract agreement signed between USP and the Government of Australia through AusAID. In this contract USP had agreed to look after the management of all students sponsored under the Australian Awards Pacific Scholarships (AAPS) studying at USP. The main responsibility of RST is to coordinate, supervise and administer these students and to provide the necessary services and support stipulated in the Contract. The department ensures that each scholarship recipient is able to complete their studies successfully at the end of their award period. RST began serving these deserving students with effective from Semester 1 2007.

It has been an enlightening and a challenging experience serving these students considering the different and unique backgrounds they come from with their individual expectations. Fiji’s metropolitan development and lifestyle experiences poses a great challenge to each of them, in addition to the high use of modern technology within campus study life. Each student reacts differently to the culture shock experienced as it takes sometimes for each of them to fully adapt to the new environment before they embark into their study mission. AAPS students are very privileged to have a department of its own looking after them within campus during the course of their studies. They are accorded with relevant assistance and services which are expected to contribute to their success.

RST Staff are privileged and honored to serve these students, knowing that they will contribute directly to the economy and human resource development of their respective island states.

2013 USP Academic Dates

	Alafua, Emalus, Laucala	Regional Campuses	30-week semester
First Semester
Orientation and Academic Advisory Week for all new students; Registration continues	11 - 15 February
Semester 1 Lectures begin	18 February		02 April
Deadline for change of courses	22 February
Deadline for withdrawal from courses with no financial penalty	01 March	28 March
Official Invoices available via SOLS	04 March
Deadline for payment of semester 1 fees for all campuses	28 March
Graduation (Laucala)	05 April
Mid-Semester Break	06-14 April
Deadline for all students to withdraw from courses that they do not wish to be assessed in	19 April		31 May
Last day of lectures	31 May
Study Week	01 - 09 June
Examination Period	10 - 21 June
Semester Break	22 Jun - 21 Jul
Second Semester
Academic Advise week for all students: Online Registration continues	15 - 19 July
Semester 2 Lectures begin	22 July
Deadline for change of courses	26 July
Deadline for students to withdraw from courses with no financial penalty	02 August	30 August
Official Invoices available via SOLS	05 August
Deadline for payment of semester 2 fees for all campuses	30 August
Graduation (Laucala)	06 September
Graduation (Solomons)		13 September
Mid-Semester Break	07 - 15 September
Deadline for all students to withdraw from courses that they do not wish to be assessed in	20 September
Last day of lectures	01 November
Study Week	02-10 November
Examination Period	11 - 22 November
Graduation (Emalus)	06 December
Graduation (Alafua)	13 December

Accommpanied Stipend Form

If your dependents have arrived into the country, you should download and fill in the Accompanied Stipend Form and submit it to RST along with a copy of your dependents passport, birth certificate and marriage certificate.

Australian Regional Development Scholarship (Ards) Accompanied Allowance Request Form ( View Online || Download) (size: 52.7KB)

Travel Request Form

Students going home for reunion travel at the end of Semester need to download and complete the following form and submit to RST Office to book your flights.

Travel Booking Request Form ( View Online || Download) (size: 395KB)

Study Permits

Study_Research_Permit.pdf

Upon arrival into the country you would have received a Visitors Visa that is valid for a period ranging from 2 weeks to 4 months. Within this period you must apply for a Fiji Immigration Study/Research Permit. You may pick up a copy at the RST office or simply download a copy below and print it out.

Study_Permit-Extension.pdf

Resident Permits

Resident_Permit.pdf

Student applying for their dependents Resident Permits must fill in this form and submit it to the RST Office for lodgement to the Fiji Immigration Office.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do i need to do, if I want my dependents to join me?

You will need to send an email to the RST office requesting the Sending Posts permission bring in your dependents

When are the stipend allowance payment dates?

Your stipend is paid out every two weeks. The normal day for receiving the stipend in your accounts is Thursday although we try to get it to you earlier in the week.

What do i need to do if I want to travel home during the mid-semester break?

Any time you need to travel outside of your country of award, you will need to seek permission from your Sending Post. That may be done by sending an email to the RST office to request for permission from your Sending Post. You will also need to provide reasons for your proposed travel.

If you are traveling to outer islands or to other provinces within your country of award, please send us details of your travels and a valid contact number in case we need to get in touch with you.

Is the RST office open during the semester breaks?

The RST Office operates as a normal USP Department and does not close during the breaks unless notified. You are welcome to drop in if you have any queries.

I'm struggling with my studies, how can I get extra academic assistance?

All students are encouraged to utilize the services provided on campus during your tenure at USP. This includes; approaching your lecturers and tutors for assistance and utilizing the mentoring services provided by Student Learning Support.

Development, Marketing & Communications and Alumni Office
The University of the South Pacific
Laucala Campus, Suva, Fiji
Tel: (679) 323 2148
Fax: (679) 323 1551