Employment Minister launches USP Orientation Week

Employment Minister launches USP Orientation Week

The University of the South Pacific’s (USP) 2018 Orientation Week was officially launched by the Honourable Jone Usamate, Fijian Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations, at the Laucala Campus on 29 January 2018.
The Orientation Week, which is from 29 January – 1 February is designed to give all new students an opportunity to meet Faculty members, attend Faculty orientation sessions, seek academic guidance and register for courses.

The week also provides an opportunity for students to meet fellow students and get linked to a Buddy under the Campus Life First Year Experience Programme and receive a guided campus tour with their Buddy.

While congratulating the students for enrolling at USP, Hon. Usamate thanked the University for an excellent Orientation Programme.

“We did not have the opportunity to go through such a good orientation programme when we were students so you students, are very fortunate and over the years, the University has continuously improved on this programme and you are going to get the benefit of that,” Hon. Usamate said.

He further stated that USP is the oldest University in the region and acknowledged the wealth of knowledge and experience that students will receive during their studies at the University.

“I know that a small percentage of the children of the Pacific manage to get to USP, and you are the chosen few who have been able to make it here and today and the next few years will be some of the best years in your life,” he told the new students.

Hon. Usamate said that the students should consider themselves special, as they are starting their studies at a time when the University is turning fifty (50).
An orientation programme in the work environment, Hon. Usamate emphasised, assists workers to be as productive as possible in the shortest possible time, and echoed the same sentiments for University life.

He talked about some of the graduate attributes that employers would like to see which students can develop while they are here at the University and these include teamwork; ability to be inquisitive and innovative; adaptability and flexibility; and the idea of collaboration.

The Minister urged the students to make the best possible use of the Orientation week which will help them prepare for their stay at the University.

In his address, Professor Rajesh Chandra, Vice-Chancellor and President of USP told the new students that they have made the right choice by coming to USP, because they will get the highest quality, internationally accredited programmes which means that the quality of their qualifications is as high as those in Australia, New Zealand and other countries, and that they can easily work in any country they choose.

Professor Chandra highlighted that the University is very positive about this new academic year with total enrolment up by fourteen per cent (14%) at this stage.

“We are excited by the additional improvements in our lecture capture system that makes access to lectures to every student possible; the distribution of tablet computers has been made earlier and easier; and we have shown a major improvement in quality as evidenced by the University exceeding its Strategic Plan targets by obtaining 26 international accreditations with hopefully a few more to come this year; and of course we are excited by our 50th anniversary landmark and celebrations,” Professor Chandra shared.

He further stated that we now live in a world where Mobile Applications make our life easier and studying more effective, hence, encouraged students to use the two (2) applications designed for them, which are the ‘USP Campus Map’ and ‘USP Mobile App’.

The former application is designed to help students navigate to their lecture and tutorial rooms, labs and any other building in Laucala Campus. It also shows nearest ATMs, shops, washrooms and other places around the Laucala Campus.
The latter application, designed by the Faculty of Science, Technology and Environment, has features such as, News Feed, Notification, Events, Course Finder, Orientation, Frequent Asked Questions, Timetable and other important features.

Talking about the University’s 50th Anniversary Celebrations this year, Professor Chandra highlighted that a large number of activities are organised for the celebrations and the President of Fiji will launch the year-long celebrations on 5 February.

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