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 | Council members meet to discuss the new Strategic Plan of the University. |
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The University of the South Pacific Council at its 75th meeting held on 5 - 6 November 2012 approved the new Strategic Plan for the University.
The new USP Strategic Plan, which is for a period of 6 years starting from 2013, will guide the University to its 50th anniversary in 2018.
An early draft of the Strategic Plan was discussed by the USP Council in its meeting in May this year.
Since then, the Plan has been further developed and consulted on widely in the region with the different stakeholders of the University including member countries, development partners, parents, employers, USP alumni, staff and students.
The consultations were led mainly by the Vice-Chancellor and President of USP, Professor Rajesh Chandra, but the Pro Chancellor, Mr Ikbal Jannif led the consultations in three countries. The University’s Senior Management Team and other senior staff also assisted in the consultations.
Professor Chandra said that the consultation process was extremely valuable and strengthened the Plan considerably by incorporating the needs and aspirations of USP member countries.
The Vice-Chancellor explained that the overarching aim of the new Strategic Plan is to lift the vision of the University from good to excellent.
He explained that this will be achieved through improvements in the following areas:
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Quality: greater focus on quality and International accreditation of most programmes;
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Regional Campuses: significant, comprehensive, time-lined development and improved governance and management model for regional campuses;
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Postgraduate Studies: much stronger focus on postgraduate growth including PhD and Masters research;
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Research: more and greater impact of research, global recognition in selected areas including Pacific societies and cultures, Pacific Ocean and marine resources;
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Global leadership: in Pacific Studies/Arts and Culture; Pacific Ocean Studies and ICT leveraged flexible learning and new pedagogies;
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Enterprising University: a more enterprising University/students to leave with entrepreneurial skills – job creators not just job seekers;
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Regional Exemplar: in Tertiary Education and assisting national institutions where needed and appropriate; and
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People: growing talent; leadership and supervision, HR and change management, investment in people.
Professor Chandra elaborated that the challenge of moving from good to excellence will require a very significant change in mindset and performance of people and systems, which the new Strategic Plan is focused on achieving.
According to the Vice-Chancellor, USP will ensure that staff are able to deliver the University’s vision of excellence. This will involve developing a culture of excellence and personal growth for all staff to achieve the highest institutional outcomes.
The new Strategic Plan also puts significant focus on enhancing the role and potential of regional campuses.
Professor Chandra said that new Plan will be instrumental in ensuring that the physical facilities throughout the region are improved significantly.
The 7 priority areas of the new Plan are:
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Learning & Teaching;
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Student Support;
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Research and Internationalisation;
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Information & Communication Technologies;
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Regional and Community Engagement;
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Our People; and
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Governance, Leadership, Management & Continuous Improvement
The Vice-Chancellor thanked the Council for the approval of the Strategic Plan and gave his assurance and commitment on behalf of the staff to energetically and effectively implement the new Strategic Plan 2013 – 2018.
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