Republic of China/Taiwan provides funding support for academic cooperation with USP
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 | The Trade Representative of the ROC/Taiwan, Mr Ming Chang, presents a cheque to the Vice-Chancellor and President of USP, Professor Rajesh Chandra at the USP Laucala Campus in Suva. |
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The Trade Mission of the Republic of China/Taiwan presented a cheque worth US $110,000 to the University of the South Pacific on 31 May, 2012.
The funds will be used to support the placement of a Taiwan academic at the University to assist in capacity building in the areas of trade and development.
This is part of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which was signed earlier in the year in January between the Chinese Culture University (CCU), the Trade Mission of the ROC/Taiwan in Suva, and USP.
Under the agreement, the Trade Mission of the ROC/Taiwan agreed to arrange and fund Professor Robert Kan, a visiting scholar from CCU to be based at the USP’s Faculty of Business and Economics for a period of one academic year.
The Trade Representative of the ROC/Taiwan, Mr Ming Chang presented the cheque to the Vice-Chancellor and President of USP, Professor Rajesh Chandra at a ceremony held at the University’s Laucala Campus in Suva.
Speaking on behalf of the Government of Taiwan, Mr Chang thanked USP on the successful implementation of the MOU for academic cooperation.
“Today’s handover of one hundred and ten thousand US Dollars (US$110,000) to fund the first ever academic cooperation between USP and my country is an ample demonstration of my government’s commitment. This academic cooperation enables a visiting professor to teach here in USP,” he added.
Mr Chang is confident that Professor Kan will contribute positively and be an asset for the University.
He said that the Government of Taiwan is keen to sustain this pilot project in the future in a bid to enhance and strengthen Taiwan’s bilateral relationship with USP.
In his remarks, Professor Chandra expressed his sincere appreciation to the Government of Taiwan for the ongoing assistance to the University and the Pacific Island Countries.
He acknowledged that Professor Kan’s stay at USP will provide staff and students with the opportunity to benefit from his expertise in the areas of economics, international finance and trading finance.
While thanking the Government of Taiwan for providing regional scholarships to students through the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Professor Chandra asked Taiwan/ROC to consider increasing the number of scholarships for students studying at USP.
There were 10 students studying under this scholarship in 2011 and this year, the number has gone up by further three students.
The Vice-Chancellor also raised the issue of Taiwan/ROC to look at the possibility of assisting the marine studies and agricultural schools of the University, which will be highly beneficial to USP given Taiwan’s excellent expertise in the two sectors.
He also highlighted the computer dealership between the USP Book Centre and ASUS, a Taiwanese multinational computer hardware and electronics company.
Professor Kan will work with the School of Government, Development and International Affairs.
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