USP Council appoints new Pro-Chancellor [1]
Wednesday, October 28, 2015 - 11:55
The University of the South Pacific Council has appointed Mr Winston Thompson as its new Pro-Chancellor and Chair of Council for three years, starting from January 2016.
The appointment was announced after the 81st USP Council meeting in Nadi yesterday, October 27,
In a statement USP said that Mr Thompson, a senior public servant in Fiji, has been the Chair of the University Grants Committee for 10 years. He replaces Acting Pro Chancellor and Chair of Council, Fekitamoeloa ‘Utoikamanu of Tonga, who will continue in her role as Deputy Chair and Deputy Pro-Chancellor.
Another appointment was Professor Derrick Armstrong as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & International) for five years. Prof. Armstrong is a former Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sydney.
Ms Aloma Johansson from Tonga was appointed to the Executive Committee as new Chair of Finance and Investments Committee. She replaces Ms Fay Yee, who retired after chairing FIC for nine years.
Record enrolment
The Vice-Chancellor and President of USP, Professor Rajesh Chandra presented his report to Council, highlighting record enrolment this year.
The Council has approved a draft Protocol “recognising the University in each of its member countries to reinforce the status of the University and the commitment of the member countries to continue their participation in the University as it heads for its 50th anniversary in 2018”, USP stated.
The Council also noted the status of the 22 Key Performance Indicators and the mid-term report on the review of USP’s Strategic Plan 2013-18, stating that, “The Strategic Plan sets out an ambitious path to transform USP from good to an excellent University.”
Kiribati
In the region USP will open a new USP campus for Kiribati on 3 November. It also reported the allocation of a 12-acre land approved by the Cabinet of Solomon Islands to build a new campus.
The USP Council comprises Pro-Chancellor, the Vice-Chancellor and President, representatives of the 12 member country governments, staff, students, community and business leaders. One representative from Australia and New Zealand and a member of a CROP agency are also part of the Council. A representative each from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Australian Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade (DFAT) and New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade (MFAT) also attend as Observers.
The next USP Council meeting will be held on 17-18 May 2016 in Samoa.