Preparations for 12th Pacific Science Inter-Congress Well Underway
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 | Pro Vice-Chancellor, Research and international, Professor John Bythell, addressing the media at the PSIC media update. |
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In 2011, the University of the South Pacific won the bid to host the 12th Pacific Science Inter-Congress (PSIC), which carries the theme, Science for Human Security and Sustainable Development in the Pacific Islands and Rim.
The regional meet will be held from 8 to 12 July, 2013 at the University’s Laucala Campus in Suva.
At a recent media update organised by the Research Office, Pro Vice Chancellor, Research and International, Professor John Bythell said with the event being a month away, final preparations are underway.
The Inter-Congress will serve as a platform for academics, practitioners, researchers, scientists, students and stakeholders of science internationally, who will have the opportunity to meet and discuss key issues in the region.
“We will be having close to 500 participants coming in from around the region to be part of this congress,” Professor Bythell said.
Professor John Bythell said the congress will be a very big event for the Pacific, which he says aims to also identify ways to promote sustainable development in the region.
Participants will present and discuss research findings on one of the following seven fields of study:
• Biodiversity, Ecosystem Services and Resilient Societies;
• Society, Culture and Gender;
• Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) for Sustainable Development;
• Food, Water, Energy & Health;
• Governance, Economic Development and Public Policy;
• Climate Change and Impacts; and
• Oceans.
Professor Bythell said the role of the University in being the local organizing committee is very critical to achieving the goals and expectations of this event.
The University is working together with the Pacific Science Association (PSA), a regional, non- governmental, scholarly organisation composed of both national member organisations and individual scientists from the Pacific Rim and Pacific island countries.
More than 350 abstracts have been approved for presentation either orally or visually. So far, more than 360 registrations have been received for the event.
The University and the PSA have formed strategic partnerships with the Government of Fiji, the European Union and United Nations Economic, Social and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and sponsors such as Fiji Airways, Tourism Fiji, the Holiday Inn, and Coca Cola Amatil Fiji Limited.
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