Welcome from VC

Dear Students,

Welcome to The University of the South Pacific. As a distance student you are just as much a student of the University as students on the main campus in Suva. All USP staff, wherever and whoever they are, will be committed to ensuring that your studies are enjoyable and rewarding.

Studying at a distance is not easy. It will require special skills from you. Fortunately these are key life-skills which will serve you well in other areas of your life. To provide you with a proper induction to studying successfully through Center of Distance and Flexible Learning (CFDL), we have designed and developed this special induction and orientation programme - "Success@USP", which will be presented at all campuses and centres of USP at the beginning of each semester. If you don't know when this will be, please ask your local USP Campus, and watch out for your local radio and newspaper advertisements and announcements inviting you to attend.

"Success@USP" will introduce you to how to study as a distance student (e.g. making the most of your study guides, introducing you to appropriate skills - reading effectively, taking notes, writing good assignments and therefore getting high grades, planning and goal setting etc.) It will also introduce you to the services the University provides for you and how to use them effectively - the local campus/centre services, the librarr, and USP's IT systems. "Success@USP" will introduce you to the use of computers for studying and how to participate in the satellite audio tutorials.

"Success@USP" will also help you navigate the university system - giving you the confidence to ask questions when you are confused or when you need help with your studies or understanding the university systems and procedures. It will also make clear what is expected from you as a USP student.

Attending you local "Success@USP" programme will also enable you to meet your fellow students. Being in contact with fellow DFL students we know is a great support for study too.

You may be a long way away from Suva but we always want to hear from our learners. Without this feedback we cannot improve. So i look forward to hearing from you and hopefully meeting you in the course of your studies. Once again, welcome to The University of the South Pacific.

Best wishes,

Professor Rajesh Chandra
Vice-Chancellor
The University of the South Pacific
Laucala Campus and Headquarters
Private Mail Bag
Suva
FIJI ISLANDS