Remarks and Introduction of the Chief Guest by Mr Ikbal Jannif, Pro-Chancellor & Chair of the USP Council

HE The President of the Republic of Fiji, Hon. Ratu Epeli Nailatikau
Chief Guest, USP Chancellor, Ulu-o-Tokelau, H.E Aliki Faipule  Kerisiano Kalolo
Honourable Ministers
 Professor Rajesh Chandra, Vice –Chancellor & President
Excellencies and Members of the Diplomatic Corps
Heads and Representatives of CROP and International Organizations
Senior Government Officials & Heads of Statutory Organizations
Ms Faye Yee, Chair of Finance and Investments Committee
Members of the Council, Senate & FIC
Members of SMT & Staff of the University
Distinguished Guests
Ladies & Gentlemen

I take great pleasure in addressing this gathering of esteemed colleagues, friends, and stakeholders.  Your numbers are a great show of confidence and optimism in the future of USP.  

I hope that all of us will be able to gather again in six years to celebrate USP’s 50th anniversary and the accomplishment of the grand plans that are laid out in this strategic document.

Fiji, a member country since USP’s foundation, has most graciously hosted USP’s headquarters here at Laucala.  Other members of USP have all collectively supported USP for over 4 decades and building this university into what it is today; and working towards becoming a University of Excellence in 2018. 

We are incredibly fortunate this evening to welcome   our Chancellor, Ulu-o-Tokelau H.E Aliki Faipule Kerisiano Kalolo as the Chief Guest.  

As head of his Government, he has lent strong support to the University, and to the priorities it champions, such as the development of ICT and entrepreneurialism.  He has championed the value of education and has frequently encouraged his country’s youth to pursue qualifications and then become economically productive.     

I am honoured to introduce to you our Chief Guest tonight before I invite him to give his address and launch USP’s Strategic Plan 2013-2018. 

The Chancellor, who is formally addressed as Faipule Keli Kalolo or Kelihiano Kalolo:

• Was born on 22 April 1946 in Tokelau and is married to Atene Kalolo . They have  3 children (2 boys and 1 girl) and 15 grandchildren
• Religion: Congregational Christian Church of Tokelau
• Position:     Elected Faipule for Atafu and one of the six members of the Council for the On-going Government of Tokelau established in November 2003 
• Portfolio: Ulu o Tokelau ; Minister for Foreign Affairs; Minister for Education; Minister for Economic Development, Natural Resources and Environment (including Agriculture & Fisheries)
• Education
  • 1951-1962: Atafu Primary
  • 1963-1965: Samoa College
  • 1982-1984: Samoa Secondary Teachers College (Diploma in Education, Secondary Teacher Certificate) 
  • 1991-93: Auckland University (Bachelor of Arts, Education and Anthropology) 
  • 1994 -1995: The University of Auckland (Master of Arts in Education First Class Honours)
• Awards
  • Dux (Samoa Secondary Teachers College 1984)
  • Senior Scholar in Education (The University of Auckland 1995)
  • PhD Scholarship (The University of Auckland 1996)
• Professional 
  • 1980-1981 Teacher, Atafu Primary
  • 1987-1990 Curriculum and Assessment Development Officer
  • 1999 – 2004 Director of Education
  • 2007 Director, USP Tokelau Campus
• Publications
  • i)  Kalolo, E. K., 1995. Changes in Tokelau Schools. Intentions and Outcomes. Unpublished MA Thesis in Education, University of Auckland; 
  • ii)  Kalolo, Kelihiano (1999) Tokelau Political Reviews. The Contemporary Pacific, University of Hawai'i at Manoa 11 (1) 228-36; 
  • iii)  (2000): Tokelau Political Reviews. The Contemporary Pacific, 12 (1): 246-49;
  • iv)  (2007): Tokelau Political Reviews. The Contemporary Pacific, 19(1): 256-62;
  • v)  Hooper, Antony, Judith Huntsman and Kelihiano Kalolo (1992) The Tokelau Language 1841-1991. Journal of the Polynesian Society 101: 343-372;
  • vi)  Huntsman, Judith, with Kelihiano Kalolo (2007) The Future of Tokelau: Decolonising Agenda 1975-2006
• Hobbies:  Fishing, Reading &  Composing traditional poems/songs

Ladies and Gentlemen, let’s welcome the Chancellor of USP.