Centre for Flexible Learning (CFL)
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Our Staff

Rajni Chand

Director – Centre for Flexible Learning

  • Director: PACFOLD (Pacific Centre for Flexible and Open Learning for Development)-Commonwealth of Learning Regional Centre
  • ICDE (International Council for Open and Distance Education) Quality Network Focal Points on Quality for Oceania Region
  • Chairperson: femLinkPacific Board of Trustees

Credentials: PhD (Otago), MA (Griffith), BA (USP)

Phone: 323 2352

Email: rajni.chand@usp.ac.fj

Biography

Dr. Rajni Kaushal Chand is the new Director for CFL for the next 3 years (2021 – 2023).  She has been with USP for over 25 years as a student, teacher, researcher and course coordinator. She has travelled extensively in the USP region and internationally and has in-depth knowledge on Open and Distance Learning (ODL) for small and  developing South Pacific regional countries. She has presented her research findings at various international ODL, Applied Linguistics and Indian Diaspora conferences.  Dr. Rajni Chand has also worked in the course development and editing sections for USP’s Distance Learning section.

Dr. Rajni Chand holds a PhD in Applied Linguistics from the University of Otago. She received a position in the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) Women and Leadership in ODL training program and has recently been appointed a mentor in the COL’s Commonwealth Wise Women mentoring programme. She is also the chairperson of Board of Trustees for femLinkPacific; a major regional feminist media NGO

Book Chapters & Publications:

Books:

  • Chand, R. (2009), A student’s guide to bibliography and referencing, Pacific Educational Resources, Lautoka.
  • Chand, R. and Khan, V. (2004). Referencing and Bibliography Writing: A guide for university students, Suva: USP.

Journal Articles:

  • Chand, R. (2014) “Access to information: questions on equality, gender and geographical gap in relation to suicide prevention”, Journal of Pacific Studies, Vol. 35, Special issue.
  • Chand, R. (2012). Key challenges and opportunities facing the Community radio sector in the Pacific Island Countries, FemLINKPACIFICEMegazine  Special Edition: The Thirteen 25 Report (November 2012 – February 2013 Edition), pp 17-19.
  • Chand, R. (2011) English use among South Pacific Islanders at The University of the South Pacific, SEDI Journal, Vol 15 (2), pp 73-90.
  • Chand, R. (2007) Same size does not fit all: Insights from research on listening skills at The University of the South Pacific (USP). International Research and Reflection in Open and Distance Learning Journal (IRRODL), Vol. 8(3). http://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/article/view/383/951
  • Chand, R. (2014) “Access to information: questions on equality, gender and geographical gap in relation to suicide prevention”, Journal of Pacific Studies, Vol. 35, Special issue.

Unpublished PhD Thesis:

  • Chand, R. (2008) Listening needs of distance learners: A case study of EAP learners at The University of the South Pacific.  University of Otago.

Conferences:

  • PACFOLD’s Role in the Pacific Region, Opening Address at Regional Workshop on Skills and Leadership Training for Youth, Women, And Persons with Disabilities in the Pacific, 10 August 2022, Suva, Fiji.
  • How can I champion change to empower women in ICT? Panelist at Pan-Commonwealth Training Programme Women and Leadership in ODL, Women Leaders: Shaping the Future for a Sustainable World, 1-3 August 2022.
  • What are the implications of the new technologies and social media for my leadership path? Panelist at Pan-Commonwealth Training Programme Women and Leadership in ODL, Women Leaders: Shaping the Future for a Sustainable World, 1-3 August 2022, Penang, Malaysia
  • Girmit and Lessons from it, Key Note Address at Girmit Day Celebration, USP, 20 May 2022.
  • Under the Shadows of Girmit Era, paper presented at Journeys of Women in Fiji towards Building a More Just Society Webinar Series organised by Lautoka Campus, FRIEND and FWCC, 28 March, 2021
  • ICDE Virtual International Conference: Paper 1: Responsive Action on the ICDE Global Advocacy Campaign for quality OFDL: Lessons from a South Pacific regional university; Paper 2: Innovation in quality: Lessons from a South Pacific regional university, 27-30 October, 2021
  • International Conference-The old and the new Indenture: Labour Practices and Human Rights, Panel Chair: Language, Literature and Creative Arts, 9-11 October, 2021
  • Culture and Practice: Ethos and Challenges for Diasporic Women in Breaking the Glass Ceiling, paper presented at Deccan Archaeological and Cultural Research Institute, Hyderabad and Shiksha Sanskriti Utthan Nyas (Meerut – Brij Prant) International Web Seminar on Indian emigration during British Raj: The Untold Stories of Thousands of Womenias, 8 March, 2021
  • Rethinking Strategies: Online tests and exams, paper presented at USP’s CFL webinar series, 13 May, 2020 Suva, Fiji.
  • Indian Diasporic Identity: Language policies or politicizing languages, paper presented at Banaras Hindu University conference titled: People of Indian Ancestry and Indian Culture: Historic and Contemporary Contexts, 19-20 January, 2019 Varanasi, India.
  • Girmit in literature texts in Fiji schools, paper presented at Commemoration of Centennial of Abolition of Indian Indentureship: An international conference, 22-24 March, 2017 Lautoka, Fiji.
  • Multilingual or Multidimensional: The case of teaching English across 5 time zones and 12 countries, paper presented at ALLA/ALANZ/ALTAANZ conference, 30th Nov – 2nd Dec, 2015 Adelaide, Australia.
  • Women in the Indian Diaspora: Issues of Discrimination and Empowerment: Women in Fiji Islands, 10-11 January, 2014 New Delhi, India.
  • Access to information: questions on equality gender and geographical gap, paper presented at Oceania Development Network Biennial Conference, 11-12, September, 2013 Suva, Fiji.
  • Transformative pedagogies:  Crossing boundaries in teaching English language, Paper presented at VC’s Forum on Learning and teaching University of the South Pacific, 3 October, 2013 Suva, Fiji.
  • Research skills development framework: UU114 and the RSD, paper presented at VC’s forum on Learning and Teaching, University of the South Pacific, 11 September, 2012 Suva, Fiji.
  • Language and Literacy: Case Study of Practice across 300 million square kilometres and a Dozen Countries. Paper presented at the 2nd combined conference of ALAA and ALANZ, 29th Nov- 2nd December 2011, Canberra, Australia.
  • Learning outcomes from a generic course to specific disciplines: Lessons from UU114, paper presented at VC’s forum on Learning and Teaching, University of the South Pacific, 22 September 2011, Suva, Fiji.
  • Disaster Response & Preparedness: Analysis and overview of contributions on the role of community radio in disaster management and Preparedness” case study of femLinkPacific’s suitcase radio. Paper presented: AMARC (World Community Broadcasters organisation) Conference, 8-13 November, 2010, La Plata, Argentina.
  • Teaching across the Curriculum: Focus on Climate Change, Paper presented at Oceanic Conference on Creativity and Climate Change at the University of the South Pacific:  17th September, 2010, Suva, Fiji.
  • Language Issues in English-medium Universities: Case of ESL learners at a regional South Pacific university”, Paper presented at Language Issues in English-medium Universities; A global Concern Conference at University of Hong Kong, 18-20 June, 2008 Honk Kong.C

Presentations:

  • Chand, R., & Hussein, M. J. (2022, September). e-Proctoring exams at a regional university during COVID-19: Understanding the challenges. Paper presented at the 2022 Tenth Pan-Commonwealth Forum on Open Learning (PCF10), Calgary, Canada.
  • Chand, R., & Anzeg, A. & Narayan, S. (2022, September). At risk students: An early intervention system.  Paper presented at the 2022 Tenth Pan-Commonwealth Forum on Open Learning (PCF10), Calgary, Canada.
  • Chand, R., Goundar, R.  & Raj, P. (2022, September). Semester Zero: An innovative orientation and nurturing program. Paper presented at the 2022 Tenth Pan-Commonwealth Forum on Open Learning (PCF10), Calgary, Canada.
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