September, 24, 2007 15:02 Age: 6 yrs
USP Open Day - An Air of Traditional Wealth led by member countries of the USP
Category: Law News
Open Day Parade - 2007
The University of the South Pacific, Emalus Campus hosted another successful Open Day event from September 12th to 14th, 2007.
A three day event featuring a selection of On-Campus activities started with a; Parents-Students, Information evening on Wednesday 12th September 2007, followed by a Public Forum on Telecommunications Services in Vanuatu, with the theme “Are we still smiling?” on Thursday 13th September. The Forum was attended by representatives from the government, Telecom Vanuatu Ltd and other stakeholders. It started with a brief presentation from key stakeholders followed by comments and discussions from the public who attended the forum.
On Friday, 14th September 2007, the actual University Open Day, a rich and colorful float parade woke the streets of downtown Port Vila. The Parade bore Vanuatu’s National theme for 2007 “Year of Traditional Economy”. Students from more than nine USP member countries took to the streets of Port Vila town dressed in their country’s traditional regalia depicting Vanuatu’s Year of Traditional Economy. The float parade displayed a selection of Traditional Economy from the Polynesian, Micronesian and Melanesian cultures in the Pacific. The Solomon Islands Law Students Association won the Float parade while Samoa and Tonga were runner’s up. All other student associations were given consolation prizes for taking part.
This was the first time a float parade was organized, thanks to the sponsorship of the Government of Vanuatu and other business houses in Port Vila.
Other activities of the day included a Moot Court Competition by the Law Students, awareness talks given by students from the Community legal Centre on different issues, Secondary School Competitions which included a Science Poster Competition, a Mushroom Quiz and a Public Speaking Competition. There were prizes awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places.
A fun and exciting day for all those who attended and took part in the different activities ended with the presentation of prizes and cultural dances put on by the students. The Over-all winner of the School Competitions went to Lycée de Montmarte, who walked away with a Full Computer Set, donated by E-Tech. Malapoa College took out the first prize for Public Speaking and the Mushroom Quiz whilst the Poster competition went to Lycée de Montmarte. The Moot Court Competition saw the Respondents [Salvin Nand, Eunice Tui’tupou and Matthew Lemisio] walk away with Vt10,000 while Madonna Fong was voted as the “Best Mooter”.
Prof. John Lynch, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Regional) officially opened the day with a few short remarks and welcomed the public, students and staff to 2007 Open Day. Other guests on campus included the Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Edward Nipake Natapei, and the Director General of the Prime Ministers office, Mr. Jean Sese.
The Keynote address was given by Emeritus Professor. Don Paterson which was followed by official Kava and then a feast of Cultural dances from the Pacific islands ended the Open Day activities.
