Page 34 - IB October 2021

Opinion Opinion

FRAMING A ‘NEW PACIFIC

CONSCIOUSNESS’

By Kaliopate Tavola cally support critical issues like environmental vulnerabilities,
climate change, disaster risks, economic and pandemic shocks
Outgoing USP Chancellor, H.E. President of Nauru Lionel and new normal and moves to digitalisation platforms.
Rouwen Aingimea, recently penned an editorial, which, having But that was for the last 50 years. For the next half century,
fulfilled his one-year stint as Chancellor and on the way out, what is important is how the USP handles its affairs at this
can be regarded as his farewell statement to the USP com- critical juncture. The ongoing “USP saga” has tested our
munity . unity as a region. Our integrity, values and respect for an
The editorial was titled: “USP ‘shaping Pacific futures in the equal voice at the table will determine the standards that
21st Century.” In the last 50 years of regionalism, Aingimea can be collectively harnessed for the good of the Pacific going
wrote that USP has acquired a wealth of experience in higher forward.
education to stand as a pinnacle of Pacific regionalism: it be- Despite our trials, tribulations, limitations and vulnerabili-
ing owned by 12 Pacific Island Countries. However, “over the ties, the USP issues present both challenges and opportunities
past two years, the very notion of Pacific regionalism has been for paving a new path for our future generations. Aingimea
under severe threat as USP has been embroiled in governance submitted that the USP issues “have called us, as custodi-
and related issues.” ans of the Pacific, to also reflect and reignite what ‘Pacific
Critical also in shaping Pacific futures is the value of a USP Regionalism’ means to us.” Clearly, his perspectives were not
education in “creating opportunities for the citizens of our restricted to the university as an institution but also to the re-
Pacific region.” The university itself being “the place to test gional framework within which the university is a pivotal part.
ideas and pursue truth. It is also where academic freedom is In his attempt to expand and expound his views for the

Fiji’s planned delay in the remittance of funds to subsidise the fees of
its own students is somewhat short-sighted. It lacks foresight. It only
jeopardises the education of its own students should USP terminate
these students for incomplete payment of fees. Furthermore, such ac-
tion jeopardises the viability of the whole university since it affects the
greatest number of students.”

fundamental to the freedom of expression and human rights.” future, he likened this new reflection to “a new paradigm,
President Aingimea acknowledged that he has benefitted from a renewal, a renaissance for our region.” He went further.
these values as a USP alumnus. He wrote “about developing a New Pacific Consciousness for
The President referred to his tenure at USP as “some of the 21st century.” Moreover, he associated the century as “a
the most trying times that USP has faced in its history…. period of great challenges but equally it is an era where we
particularly at a time when the very future of USP remains at break the shackles of the past to determine our own future.”
stake.” But he did not deviate from his task of ensuring that Whilst he is deeply aware of our challenges, Aingimea is also
USP continues to shape Pacific futures in the 21st century. He “cognisant of our rich legacy which is why a new Pacific re-
was able “to bring about change at the heart of the university naissance, and a new Pacific Consciousness is essential to deal
instituting reforms that will make USP stand out in the future with our seemingly intractable issues.”
amongst the best universities in the world.” He fought hard to These concepts can be mind-boggling. But the editorial did
champion good governance and show leadership. clarify what a new consciousness implies. There are essen-
USP’s crucial role in the human resource needs is another tially two parts to it. First is the formulation of ‘strategies
aspect by which USP is shaping Pacific futures in the 21st and mechanisms aimed at delivering our people as well as
century. Aingimea referred to the 30,000 students in the our governments from past practices and ways of doing things
university’s care. They represent “our collective voice for the that have often made us vulnerable.’ The second is ‘about
Pacific region.” They speak, advocate, research and techni- allowing our voices to be heard on the world stage.’

34 Islands Business, October 2021