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 | From left : The Vice-Chancellor of USP, Professor Rajesh Chandra, the Indian Government Representative, Mrs Anuradha Thakur, the ADB Pacific Operations Division, Education Specialist, Mr Kiyoshi Nakamitsu, and ADB Consultant Mr Tilak Sen. |
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A delegation from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of India visited the University of the South Pacific, from 28 February to 3 March 2010.
The purpose of the mission was to conduct an assessment and hold discussions on the status of regional technical assistance on the creation of the Pacific Information Superhighway with the USP network.
The mission comprised of an Indian Government representative, the Director of Finance at the Ministry of Finance, Mrs Anuradha Thakur; the ADB Pacific Operations Division Education Specialist, Mr Kiyoshi Oswin Nakamitsu; and ADB Consultant Mr Tilak Sen.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of the South Pacific, Professor Rajesh Chandra, announced that the Government of India has provided a US$1 million grant to the University, through the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
Professor Chandra said he is very pleased with this partnership between the USP and both the ADB and the Government of India, since the signing of their tripartite agreement in April 2009.
He said part of the grant will be used by the USP to assist in the upgrade of USPNet, and the University will be looking at what other projects it can use these funds for — especially in the areas of ICT and the establishment of strategic alliances with key universities in India.
The discussions that were held during the mission’s visit also focussed on the possibility of soft loans from the ADB, to meet the future capital works proposed under the new master plan that is currently being finalised. Professor Chandra says the grant and the future loan opportunities are timely, especially with the finances of our USP-member Governments under strain, and that it is prudent to avoid using government contributions for capital works, where possible.
“I am very grateful to the Government of India for providing a grant of US$1 million to USP, being channelled through the ADB. Through this grant, the Government of India is providing assistance to the 12 member countries of the University, and this will go a long way in bridging the digital divide in the Pacific Islands” he said.
The Vice-Chancellor went on to say that he is hopeful, that this is the beginning of India’s assistance to the region in the area of higher education. He also thanked the ADB, as this is the first time USP is entering into a long-term partnership with the Bank.
Mrs Anuradha Thakur, Director of Finance representing the Government of India, described the visit as a successful one and said that India is pleased to provide the grant for the benefit of the region. She said that India, as a founding member of the ADB, is committed to ensuring that the ADB gives adequate attention to the small and vulnerable pacific island countries.
The ADB’s Education Specialist, at the Pacific Operation’s Division, Mr Kiyoshi Nakamitsu, stated that the ADB is pleased to be associated with USP on the Indian Government grant, as well as on the opportunity to consider projects that have been discussed for soft loans for the development of high priority projects for the USP.
The Vice-Chancellor described the meeting with the mission as very positive and constructive.
The Mission to USP/Fiji was concluded with a cocktail held at the Oceania Arts Centre on Campus, on the evening of Tuesday 2 March, in which the Prime Minister of Fiji, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama was invited.
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