The University of the South Pacific (USP) is the premier provider of tertiary education in the Pacific region and an international centre of excellence for teaching, a research consulting and training on all aspects of Pacific culture, environment and human resource development needs. About the University USP - An Introduction The University of the South Pacific is the premier institution of higher learning for the Pacific region, uniquely placed in a region of extraordinary… [+] physical, social and economic diversity. Established in 1968, USP is one of only two universities of its type in the world. It is jointly owned by the governments of 12 member countries: Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and Samoa. The University has campuses in all member countries. The main campus, Laucala, is in Fiji. The Alafua Campus in Samoa is where the School of Agriculture and Food Technology is situated, and the Emalus Campus in Vanuatu is the location for the School of Law. The academic Schools, Institutes and Centres at the University of the South Pacific are organised into three faculties and led by Deans. These are the Faculty of Arts, Law and Education; the Faculty of Business and Economics; and the Faculty of Science, Technology and Environment. Each faculty comprises a number of schools which offer a wide range of academic programmes and courses at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The University also offers programmes through distance and flexible learning in a variety of modes and technologies throughout USP's 14 campuses. Advanced communication technologies through USPNet are used to reach distance and flexible learning students across the vast expanses of the Pacific Ocean. The multi-cultural nature of the staff and student body give USP an exceptional character. It is a quality institution producing degrees comparable to those awarded by universities in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. Graduates from USP are found in important executive positions throughout the public and private sectors in all member countries and in numerous countries around the world. The University has set a high standard for quality in its research. Major research commitments include business management, teacher education, Pacific studies, marine studies, agriculture, science and technology. The University Region The University of the South Pacific region spreads across 33 million square kilometres of ocean, an area more than three times the size of Europe. In contrast, the total land mass is about equal to the area of Denmark. Populations vary in size from Tokelau with 1600 people to Fiji with more than 800,000. The total population is about 1.3 million. International airlines flying routes between Australia, Japan, Korea, New Zealand and the United States link a number of the island countries. There are also airlines which service the region. Within countries, inter-island shipping is used to reach smaller islands without air services. Because of its strategic position and facilities, USP attracts eminent scholars and staff from all over the world. University Administration USP is governed by its own Council, which includes representatives of the member country governments, academic staff, students, community and business leaders, the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Secretariat of the Pacific Community, the American Council of Education, the Privy Council, Australia and New Zealand. The Senate is the academic authority of the University, responsible for matters such as teaching and research. The Council and the Senate are served by committees working in such areas as Finance, Human Resource Management and Academic Planning. Other committees deal with special projects and the day-to-day work of the University. The ceremonial head of the University is the Chancellor. USP's Chancellors have been drawn from the leaders of the University's member governments and include Prime Ministers, Presidents and Heads of State. The Pro-Chancellor is Chair of Council and the executive head of the University is the Vice-Chancellor. The Vice-Chancellor is assisted by two Deputy Vice-Chancellors and two Pro-Vice-Chancellors. The Senior Management Team is responsible for the welfare of the University community. The Executive Director of Finance is concerned with control of University finances. The Executive Director Human Resources manages the University's human resources. In total, USP employs more than 1,500 staff. USP's Vision, Mission and Values Our Vision Achieving excellence and innovation for sustainable development of the Pacific Island Countries Our Mission To provide Pacific people with a comprehensive range of excellent and relevant tertiary qualifications; To deliver the benefits of advanced research and its applications;</li> To provide communities and countries in the Pacific region with relevant, cost-effective and sustainable solutions, including entrepreneurship, to their main challenges; and To be an exemplar of tertiary education for the Pacific Islands in quality, governance, application of technology and collaboration with national tertiary institutions. Our Values Commitment and loyalty of staff and students to the institution and the region; Highest standards of governance, leadership, academic freedom, integrity and transparency; Highest standards of creativity, innovation, teamwork and flexibility in the pursuit of excellence; Investments in staff, rewarding staff excellence, and empowerment of all USP teams; Respect for distinctiveness and diversity in our Pacific heritage and its development, preservation and dissemination; Commitment to regional cooperation and integration; Positive and inclusive learning and living environments for student excellence; Support for flexible learners in all locations for success in work, life and citizenship; Protection and nurturing of the environment; Strong relationships to guide engagement with national governments, Pacific communities, and development partners; Humility in performance, learn from others, value the trust is given, and honour Pacific knowledge, contexts and aspirations. Ultimately, both the Vision and Mission of this Strategic Plan will be realised through the contribution and attributes of USP’s graduates and staff. These are the key drivers of the Strategic Plan. [-]