The non-resident Ambassador-designate of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, His Excellency Mr Merzak Belhimeur, recently visited The University of the South Pacific’s Laucala Campus to discuss ways for effective collaboration.
Ambassador Belhimeur said he wanted to take partnership with USP and its member countries to an entirely new level and is ready to facilitate efforts to formalise this endeavour.
He added that Algeria is interested in widening its collaboration within the Pacific region in higher education and research.
Algeria has 15 universities ranked in the overall Times Higher Education World University Rankings.
Ambassador Belhimeur also mentioned the South-South and Triangular Cooperation and Algeria’s commitment to making a positive impact.
USP’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Regional Campuses and Global Engagement) Dr Giulio Masasso Tu’ikolongahau Pāunga, welcomed Ambassador Belhimeur on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Pal Ahluwalia and relayed his good wishes.
Dr Pāunga briefed the Ambassador on the University’s Strategic Plan 2022-2024 and the University’s commitment to improving student experience, research collaboration and student exchange.
He added that the University welcomes collaboration with the Algerian government and hopes to see the partnership leading to the culmination of initiatives to strengthen USP’s ability to provide quality education in the region.
“USP, as the premier institution of higher learning for the Pacific, is very much interested in Algeria’s research experience that our students can learn from and share to benefit the region,” he said.
The two parties have agreed to find ways to strengthen collaboration in the areas of students exchange, scholarships and projects.
