USP and Swiss Federal Institute of Technology starts Collaborative Research

 
Dr Krishna Kotra, Science Programme Coordinator exchanges MoU with Mr Nef Danny of ETH Zurich

The University of the South Pacific (USP) and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zurich) represented by the Transdisciplinarity Lab (TdLab) last year signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for collaborative research and currently work being started in this regard.

The MoU was signed last year by Professor Pal Ahluwalia, Vice-Chancellor and President (VC&P) of USP and counter signed by Dr Pius Kruetli, Co-Director, TdLab of the Department of Environmental Systems Science of ETH Zurich.

Upon the invitation of Dr Krishna Kotra, Science Programme Coordinator at USP’s Emalus Campus in Vanuatu, Mr Danny Nef a doctoral student from ETH visited in 2017 and presented his work at a public lecture. Further discussions in opportunities with staff at USP and ETH, it was agreed that a MoU would be benefit both parties.

Prof. Sushil Kumar, Associate Dean, Research, Faculty of Science, Technology and Environment (FSTE) thanked ETH in coming forward to collaborate with USP.

He said that the MoU with a prestigious university like ETH is always helpful for staff and students at USP in doing quality research. He further felt that this collaboration would enhance research skills of both parties with mutual sharing of knowledge and expertise. The faculty would always support these initiatives and wishes all the very best on start of the frontline collaborative research, he concluded.

Dr Krishna Kotra thanked ETH for considering USP as their collaborator in the Pacific and assured that USP will facilitate all collaborative leads required for carrying out the research studies.

He said that it would be a privilege to work with ETH which currently stands as world’s 6th and Europe’s 2nd best university. Reflecting on the initiation he said that this is an era of collaborative research and parties must benefit from mutual expertise, thus leading to win-win situation.

He further explained that USP’s Emalus Campus has been in the fore-front in attracting world –renowned universities and national research centres to carry out their research in Vanuatu and the Pacific.

“Inspite of limitations, collaborators believe in our ideas and logistic supports and thus coming forward to carry out cutting edge research studies in collaboration with USP in Vanuatu and the Pacific,” Dr Kotra remarked.

Both, Dr. Kruetli and Mr. Nef stressed the importance of local partnerships for successful research projects aiming to develop effective solutions to the global challenges of today and tomorrow. They highly value the opportunity to scrutinize, debate, and exchange experiences together with USP as the leading knowledge hub in the South Pacific and emphasised the importance of this for academic and scientific achievements.

USP and ETH intend to collaborate in the following areas of cooperation:
a) Joint research activities;
b) Participation in seminars and academic meetings;
c) Special short-term academic/technical/training programs; and
d) Short-term student research student and scholar mobility.

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