The 98th Meeting of the University of the South Pacific (USP) Council commenced Monday, attracting Ministers and education leaders from across the Pacific to discuss the future of tertiary education in the region.
King’s Representative Sir Tom Marsters officially opened the two-day meeting, encouraging the council to look at ways to improve education in the region.
Cook Islands Minister of Education, Vaine Mac Mokoroa, expressed the nation’s pride in hosting this meeting, which had been in discussion for five years.
“We’re very fortunate and humbled that we’re able to host this here in the Cook Islands because the last time it was held in Vanuatu,” Mokoroa told Cook Islands News.
The USP Council comprises Ministers of Education and key representatives from its 14 member states.
Convening twice a year, Mokoroa highlighted the significance of this particular meeting.
“We normally discuss all the way forward for the university. We discuss the strategy plan, the HR (human resource) issues, there’s also the budget and the performance of campuses in each of the 14 states,” he said.
The meeting comes at a critical time as USP navigates challenges impacting its students and faculty.
“As you’re probably aware, there’s a strike in Fiji on the welfare of the students. That aspect of the strike happening in Fiji will also be discussed at the Council meeting,” Mokoroa said.
Beyond immediate concerns, the conference also aims to chart a long-term vision for USP’s development across the region.
Discussions will include the university’s strategy, funding and its role in nurturing talent across the Pacific.
“Hopefully, the outcome of what we will discuss here will also be agreed and appreciated by not only our students at the university, but also by the leaders,” Mokoroa said.
“We would like to encourage those who are studying and those who are working to further their education through the University of the South Pacific. This is a nation-building mechanism that we would like to encourage for our people.”
The broader discussions at the council meeting aim to align USP’s priorities with national and regional goals, ensuring that the institution continues to provide relevant and transformative education opportunities.
As the two-day conference continues, the focus remains on fostering innovation, expanding educational opportunities and addressing challenges within the university system, according to Mokoroa.
The outcomes of the meeting are expected to shape the university’s future and reinforce its role as a pillar of development in the Pacific.
“This is not just about education; it’s about empowering our people and building a brighter future for the Cook Islands and the Pacific,” Mokoroa said.
