University Initiates Collaboration with Turkish Development Arm TIKA
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 | Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Learning, Teaching and Student Services) Professor Susan Kelly, with Head of Department of TIKA, Mr Ibrahim Barbaros. |
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The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), a development agency from Turkey, paid a courtesy visit to the University of the South Pacific Laucala Campus in Suva, on Thursday 27 June, 2013.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Learning, Teaching and Student Services, Professor Susan Kelly, received the delegation, which was headed by the Head of Department of TIKA, Mr Ibrahim Barbaros. Professor Kelly gave a brief overview of the University and its contributions to the Pacific region and how it is looking to further development, under its new Strategic Plan 2013-2018. The visit saw a comprehensive discussion in the areas of Information Communication Technology (ICT), climate change and scholarship exchanges.
Mr Barbaros acknowledged the University’s significant regional role in the Pacific, and said that TIKA would appreciate engaging in a favourable relationship with the University, noting that the University has yet to develop formal relations with institutions and agencies in Turkey. Professor Kelly welcomed the indication, and said that the University would be honoured to develop a relationship with Turkey and that both TIKA and the University would greatly benefit from this collaboration.
On the issue of climate change, the TIKA delegation stated that while the impact of climate change is not as immediate in Turkey as in Pacific island countries, it is still a significant concern. Mr Barbaros mentioned that Turkey has taken a legislative approach towards combatting climate change. Professor Kelly said the University has contributed towards addressing the issue of climate change through small renewable energy projects, such as using solar and biogas for telecommunications and generating electricity in the Pacific.
Mr Barbaros gave an example of a successful goat-breeding project which they had initiated at Faisalabad University in Pakistan, adding that the project helped strengthen the position of women in sustaining their livelihoods, and generating income. Professor Kelly agreed that collaboration on agricultural fields of study would be very beneficial to its member states, which have economies that are significantly dependent on agriculture and long term sustainable development in that sector. She said TIKA could cooperate with the USP School of Agriculture based in Apia, Samoa, where projects on poultry farming have been successfully carried out.
The TIKA delegation also suggested student-academic mobility programmes; such as bringing in academics from Turkey to the University and sending USP students for study on Turkish scholarships and fellowship programmes. Mr Barbaros said universities in Turkey appreciate having students from abroad as they contribute to a diverse multicultural learning environment. Professor Kelly acknowledged the importance of taking small steps towards the overall achievements of objectives under any prospective collaboration.
Professor Kelly thanked Mr Barbaros and his team of TIKA experts for visiting the University and said the university is delighted to cultivate a relationship with Turkey.
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