Page 20 - IB July 2018

Five Decades of USP’s Governance & Leadership CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF

ACHIEVEMENTS

VICE-CHANCELLORS OF USP Centre became a reality the following year, with Mr Derek number of research publications and this was reflected Savenaca Siwatibau” was launched at USP in 2009 as a PRO-CHANCELLORS OF USP MR IKBAL JANNIF • July 2012 – April 2015
Medford as the first Director. in its Annual Reports. Additionally, in May 1988, His Ex- tribute to Mr. Siwatibau, a renowned economist during
Furthermore, in 1978, USP celebrated its 10 Anniver-
th
DR COLIN AIKMAN • 1968 - 1974 sary, and saw a comprehensive review of the University cellency Mr Robert Cotton, the then Australian Ambassa- his time. MS MASIOFO FETAUIMALEMAU MATA’AFA •1971 - 1976 From July 2012, Mr. Ikbal Jannif was appointed USP’s
dor opened USP’s new library building, which was worth
and its work. In 1981, the then Prime Minister of India, FJD 3.8 million, funded through the Australian Aid. The University’s first Pro-Chancellor was a female, Pro-Chancellor for a period of almost three (3) years. The
Late Dr. Colin Aikman Her Excellency Mrs Indira Gandhi was conferred the Hon- He passed away on 19 January 2018 at the age of 91 PROFESSOR ANTHONY TARR • 2005 - 2007 late Ms. Masiofo Fetauimalemau Mata’afa, a Samoan Suva businessman had initially joined the USP Council as
was the first Vice-Chan- orary Degree of Doctor of the University. at Exeter. national who was appointed as Pro-Chancellor in 1971. one of the Fiji Government representative and served as a
cellor of USP and served Dr. Maraj passed away in April 1999 in Brisbane, Aus- Professor Anthony Tarr She completed her term as the Pro-Chancellor in 1976. Ms co-opted member of the Council from 1994 – 2006. He
the University for seven tralia. MR ESEKIA SOLOFA • 1992 - 2001 was the Vice-Chancellor Mata’afa passed away in November 2007. had also served as Deputy Chair of Council and as Chair of
(7) years from 1968 of USP for two (2) years the Audit and Risk Committee. His term as Pro-Chancellor
– 1974. Dr. Aikman at- from May 2005 until ended in 2015.
tained his Master of Laws PROFESSOR FRANK BROSNAHAN •1982 - 1983 Mr. Caston was suc- 2007. Professor Tarr had HON. MOSESE QIONIBARAVI • 1981 - 1985
from Victoria University ceeded by Mr Esekia Solo- PhDs from Cambridge MRS FEKITAMOELOA ‘UTOIKAMANU
and PhD from the London Professor Frank Bros- fa, a first from USP mem- University in Britain and The late Honourable Mosese Qionibaravi from Fiji was • April 2015 – December 2015
ber country, who served
School of Economics. As nahan was the interim as the Vice-Chancellor for Canterbury in New Zea- appointed USP’s Pro-Chancellor in 1981. A Fijian politician
part of his previous work Vice-Chancellor of USP nine (9) years from 1992 land. Before taking up the and former Speaker of the House of Representatives,
experience, he was Pro- for a little over one year - 2001. A Samoan nation- position, Professor Tarr Mr. Qionibaravi was also a Minister of Finance in the Fiji Mrs. Fekitamoeloa ‘Utoikamanu, a Tongan diplomat,
fessor of Jurisprudence and Constitutional Law at Vic- from June 1982 – October al, he had a Bachelor of was the Dean and Profes- Government. He completed his term in 1985. was appointed USP’s Pro-Chancellor from April 2015 and
toria University of Wellington between 1955 and 1968 1983. He had a Master Science degree from Uni- sor of Law at Indianapolis served in the capacity for eight (8) months. She is currently
and Dean of the Law Faculty. He was instrumental in of Arts degree from New versity of Canterbury and University in Indiana. For HON. HENRY NAISALI • 1985 - 1990 the United Nations High Representative for the Least
drafting the Charter of USP, under which the University Zealand in addition to a Master of Public Admin- students, Professor Tarr said that the University’s Open Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries
is governed. During his term, the University witnessed Doctor of Letters and Mas- istration from Harvard. Day is “one of the greatest experiences anyone could and Small Island Developing States. She concluded her
its first graduation ceremony where the first Chancellor ter of Philosophy. Before Mr. Solofa’s term saw have.” During his term, a new Savusavu Centre was The late Honourable Henry Naisali from Tuvalu was term in December 2015.
His Majesty the late King Taufa’ahau Tupou IV conferred taking up his role as the the University mark an important milestone in its prog- opened in Fiji’s Northern Division. appointed USP’s Pro-Chancellor in 1985. He was an
th
the Bachelor’s degree on seventeen (17) students and Interim Vice-Chancellor, ress, the University’s 25 Anniversary celebrations – an Upon his resignation, Professor Tarr said that USP is influential figure in the transformation of Tuvalu from a MR WINSTON THOMPSON • 2016 – present
awarded the Diplomas in Education to sixteen (16) stu- he served as the Deputy achievement that was eagerly celebrated throughout the a very good example of successful regional cooperation British colony and served as the Financial Secretary of
dents and Vocational Teachers Certificate to a further Vice-Chancellor of the University from 1972 – 1979 and region with a year-long variety programme of academic and he was proud to be associated with the USP family the new Tuvalu Administration from 1976. He was also the
served on many of the committees of the USP Senate in-
Secretary-General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat
From 1 January 2016, Mr Winston Thompson a
sixteen (16) students. Dr. Aikman also facilitated Her cluding Academic, Extension Services, Library Advisory, and cultural activities involving the alumni, students and during his time at the University. (PIFS) from 1986 - 1992 . His term as Pro-Chancellor ended Fijian national was appointed the Pro-Chancellor for a
staff at the campuses and at the extension centres. Mr.
Majesty the Queen’s visit to the University in 1970 to Planning and Administrative, Publications, Schools Liai- Solofa projected that “the next 25 years will see the de- in 1990.
present the Royal Charter, thus formally inaugurating the son and Honorary Degrees. He had joined USP as a Pro- mands of the region and the needs of the communities period of three (3) years. He served as the Chair of the
University Grants Committee from 2006 to 2015. He has a
University. Dr. Aikman received USP’s Honorary Doctor- fessor in English. According to him, “all universities have (to) grow in complexity and sophistication.” 1998 saw PROFESSOR RAJESH CHANDRA • 2008 - present distinguished record of thirty-eight (38) years as a Fijian civil
ate Degree in 1992. He died in Wellington in 2002 at the their particular features but USP has a very interesting two (2) major infrastructural developments at the Lau- SIR IEREMIA TIENANG TABAI • 1991 - 1997 servant and served as Permanent Secretary for a number of
age of 83. one in the sheer width, scope and range of its campus. cala Campus, which included the opening of the Marine Professor Rajesh ministries including Agriculture, Finance, Public Service,
When you think of the region in which USP operates, that Studies complex at the Lower Campus and the comple- Chandra is the current Tourism, Civil Aviation and Energy. He also served as Fiji’s
covers about 33 million square kilometres, it obviously tion of the FJD 4 million Multi-Purpose teaching complex Sir Ieremia Tienang Tabai of Kiribati was appointed USP’s
DR JAMES MARAJ • 1975 - 1982 has to respond to this challenge in a rather specific way. at the main campus funded under the Australian Gov- Vice-Chancellor and Pro-Chancellor in 1991. Sir Tabai was the first President of Ambassador to the United Nations from 1985 to 1991 and
President of USP, a po-
It appears to me that USP is responding very well, in- ernment’s AusAID programme. The University also had sition he has held from Kiribati and described as one of the most able leaders of later as Ambassador to the United States and Mexico and
High Commissioner to Canada from 2009 to 2015. His term
the Pacific Island States. He was also the Secretary-General
The late Dr James deed.” During his brief term, the Pacific Languages Unit a successful launch and implementation of the USPNet July 2008. He graduated of PIFS from 1992 – 1998. His term as the Pro-Chancellor will end on 31 December 2018.
Maraj was the second was established as part of Institute of Pacific Studies at Satellite System in March 2000. in 1975 with Bachelor of ended in 1997.
Vice-Chancellor of USP Port Vila (Vanuatu Centre) with Mr Terry Crowley as its Arts and Graduate Cer- CHANCELLORS OF USP
and served in that posi- founding Director. tificate in Education from The Chancellor is the titular head of the University, who
tion for seven (7) years MR SAVENACA SIWATIBAU • 2001 - 2003 USP. Professor Chandra MR SAVENACA SIWATIBAU • 1997 - 1999 confers the qualifications of the University.
from 1975 – 1982. Dr MR GEOFFERY CASTON •1983 - 1992 also holds Master of Arts
Maraj had a Bachelor’s The late Mr. Savenaca degree from USP and The late Mr. Savenaca Siwatibau of Fiji was appointed The Chancellorship rotates among Heads of State and/or
Degree in Psychology and Siwatibau was the sixth PhD from the University USP’s Pro-Chancellor in 1997. A prominent Fijian Prime Ministers in the University’s member countries and till
Education from The Uni- In 1983, Late Mr Geof- Vice-Chancellor of USP of British Columbia. Prior to his appointment, Professor economist, leader and civil service administrator, he date has had a total of twenty-four (24) appointments with
versity of West Indies and fery Caston was appoint- and served in that capac- Chandra held various senior academic positions at USP was appointed the first native-born Director of Economic the current being His Excellency Major General (Ret’d) Jioji
a PhD from the University ed the next Vice-Chancel- ity for three (3) years from such as Acting Vice-Chancellor, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Planning after independence and later served as the first Konusi Konrote, President of Fiji.
of Birmingham, UK and, lor and he served USP for 2001-2003. He gradu- Pro Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor and Head of Governor of the Reserve Bank of Fiji. He completed his term The University, till date has seen three (3) leaders from
in 1983 was awarded eight and half years from Geography, and also was the Director of Planning and as the Pro-Chancellor in 1999. Cook Islands who took up the Chancellorship role, while
an Honorary Doctor of Letters from Loughborough Uni- October 1983 to February ated with a Bachelor of Development. He was also the foundation Vice-Chan- majority of leaders from USP’s member countries have taken
Science degree major-
versity, UK. He was the Director, Education Division at 1992. He studied History ing in Pure and Applied cellor of University of Fiji. Professor Chandra is the first HON. DR SENIPISI LANGI KAVALIKU up the position twice. Appointments to the Chancellorship
the Commonwealth Secretariat from 1970 – 1972 and and Law at Peterhouse, USP alumnus to become the Vice-Chancellor. Professor • 1976 – 1981 and 2000 - 2006 are rotated alphabetically among USP member countries.
Commonwealth Assistant Secretary-General from 1973 Cambridge and had a Mathematics, Physics and Chandra is widely credited for turning the University
–1975 before joining USP. Master of Public Adminis- Chemistry from Victoria around from its financial and reputational problems. Honourable Dr. Senipisi Langi Kavaliku, a Tongan REFLECTIONS
University in Wellington,
Within a few weeks of his Vice-Chancellorship, Dr tration from Harvard Uni- in 1962. Mr. Siwatibau He led a sustained and deep restructuring and reform of politician was appointed the University’s Pro-Chancellor The development of USP since its formal constitution
Maraj in a statement to the University, set out his per- versity. He was appointed had a Master of Science degree in Mathematics from the University. He has been pivotal in leveraging USP in for two (2) terms from 1976 – 1981 and 2000 – 2006 by the Charter in 1970 saw the 70’s decade as a period
ceptions of USP as an expression of the free-willing Registrar of the University Auckland University, and a Master of Arts degree in areas of academic quality with a total of twenty - seven respectively. Hon. Kavaliku was the first Tongan to enter of building and establishment, followed in the 80’s by a
cooperation among island countries for mutual benefit of Oxford in 1972, and was also made a Fellow of Merton Economics from University of Sussex in England. Mr. Si- (27) international accreditations and fifteen (15) inter- Harvard and graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He period of rationalising and consolidation, then to the 90’s
and support which has come to be termed South Pacific College, Oxford. He left Oxford in 1979, and served as watibau was the Permanent Secretary of Finance in the national recognitions; increased regional cooperation also became the first Tongan to attain a Doctorate degree. with youthful zest and confidence, followed by the early
Regionalism, together with a series of proposals as to Secretary-General to the Committee of Vice-Chancellors Fiji Government in the 1970s and was later involved in and integration; record-breaking student enrolments, In 2002, Dr Kavaliku received the Honorary Fellow of the 2000’s of internationalisation through to the current period
how it might advance to fulfil its function as the premier and Principals until 1983 when he joined USP as the with more than 30, 000 students enrolled in a year; and Commonwealth of Learning award for his contribution to the of enhanced regional cooperation and integration and an
academic institution in the region, and respond to the Vice-Chancellor. As the Vice-Chancellor, his main focus USP as a Government Representative on the University increased number of research related activities including welfare and education of the people of the South Pacific, over-arching push for quality, relevance and sustainability.
needs and aspirations of the societies of which it was was balancing research and teaching, “or there would Council and served as the Pro-Chancellor of USP from more high-ranked publications. All five (5) patents regis- and the greater Commonwealth.
part of. The “Maraj Period” had been one of accelerat- be a serious loss of intellectual assets.” Research was 1997 – 1999. Mr Siwatibau was also the first Governor All of USP’s leaders over the years have played significant
ed development, with expansion of the degree courses, recognised as being essential, but needed to be relevant of Reserve Bank of Fiji from 1982 for a period of seven tered by the University occurred during Professor Chan- roles in upholding the regional nature of the University.
the profileration of diploma and certificate courses, a to the region. Mr Caston, who was a staunch advocate (7) years. His appointment as the Vice-Chancellor saw dra’s term. His term also saw the establishment of the HON. FIAME NAOMI MATA’AFA • 2006 – 2012 While there were challenges along the way, the leaders,
greatly extended service, and the creation of Institutes of research, witnessed significant research projects the University position itself to an increasingly globalised Japan – Pacific ICT Centre, which saw a paradigm shift in especially the Vice-Chancellors ensured that the University
and Centres. taking place in areas including agriculture, social and education environment. the University’s ICT capacity and also the establishment Honourable Fiame Naomi Mata’afa, was appointed USP’s had maximum regionalisation of its staff, action-oriented
In 1976, the University saw the commencement of administrative services, natural resources, economic He also in August 2002, did the honour to invite the of Pacific Technical and Further Education (Pacific TAFE) Pro-Chancellor in 2006. As the first female member of research, Pacific flavour within the University, and aimed for
which now plays a substantial role in serving the region’s
the construction of the first permanent extension cen- development, educational administration and human- first two (2) Vice-Chancellors of USP, Dr Colin Aikman technical and vocational educational needs. Cabinet, a position she has held for fifteen (15) years, Hon. regional priorities in development.
tre building and the first University building to be built ities. Mr. Caston is credited with his leadership of the and Professor Frank Brosnahan, to be guests of the Uni- Mata’afa was appointed as the first female Deputy Prime The University’s success today is a result of its strong
outside of Fiji (in Solomon Islands). When he started his University during Fiji’s 1987 coup and the subsequent versity for a week, showed them all the developments Professor Chandra will retire at full, end of December Minister of Samoa in 2016. The Samoan matai has been a governance throughout the years. It is held in high regard
term as the Vice-Chancellor in 1975, one of the key sug- crisis, working to maintain the regularity and autonomy and spoke glowingly of them to the staff of USP. Mr. Si- 2018 after serving USP in his position as the Vice-Chancel- Member of Parliament and Minister for Women, Community throughout the region and has modelled good governance
gestions made by Dr Maraj was the proposal to establish of the University. watibau, who was in his early sixties died in New Zealand lor and President for a decade and serving the University in and Social Development in Samoa. She completed her term through ethical, transparent, and effective processes at all
a Centre for Applied Studies in Development and this Each year the University saw marked increases in the in 2003. A book titled “A Voice of Reason: The writings of different capacities for close to four (4) decades. as USP’s Pro-Chancellor in 2012. levels of its managerial, academic and financial systems.
20 Islands Business, July 2018
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