Japan’s Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ms Chinami Nishimura, paid a short visit to the University of the South Pacific on Sunday 2 May 2010. The purpose of the visit was to take a tour of the newly completed Japan-Pacific ICT Centre at USP’s Laucala Campus. The Vice-Chancellor of USP, Professor Rajesh Chandra, in welcoming the Vice-Minister and her delegation, said that the University was indeed very happy and appreciative of the fact that despite her short stay in Suva, she had allowed some time to visit USP and witness for herself the very fine new addition to the University – the Japan-Pacific ICT Centre, which is a magnificent contribution from her government and the people of Japan, to the people of the Pacific.
Professor Chandra said, “The Government of Japan has a longstanding relationship with USP, and historically the University has benefited greatly from the support of the Government of Japan and its people”.
He alluded to the fact that in USP, this is witnessed predominantly in the areas of marine studies, ICT and Distance and Flexible Learning. The Vice-Chancellor revealed that the Marine Studies Complex at the Lower Campus, the USPNet Enhancement, the ICT Human Capacity project and the latest - the Japan-Pacific ICT Centre, all these bear testament to the strong and growing relationship between Japan and the University of the South Pacific, and through it, to the people of the Pacific Islands.
“Let me say that we feel very strongly that our relationship with Japan is deepening and strengthening, and we are fully committed to demonstrating to Japan that we will use its assistance to the best use and fullest advantage of our students and especially our regional member countries, while strongly supporting Fiji’s aspirations to develop ICT related industries”, Professor Chandra said.
The Vice-Minister, Ms Chinami Nishimura, in responding to the Vice-Chancellor’s welcome said through her interpreter, “The Japanese Government and the people of Japan hope that the University will utilise the new ICT Centre and its state of the art equipment to its fullest potential, and that it will play a major role and make an impact on the future generations of the people of the Pacific”.
Ms Nishimura also thanked the Vice-Chancellor and members of senior management who were present, for receiving her and her delegation on a weekend. The Vice-Minister, who studied Law at Niigata University where she received her Master’s Degree in Law, and served as Adjunct Professor over the years in several other Japanese institutions of higher learning, was very impressed with the new Japan-Pacific ICT Centre.
Vice-Minister Nishimura said, “The government and people of Japan continue to be confident of the fact that our investment in the peoples of the Pacific and our friendship with their respective governments is always fruitful and strong”.
The Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs' delegation was accompanied by the Japanese Ambassador to Fiji, H.E. Mr Yutaka Yoshizawa.
Source: USP Media
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