The University of the South Pacific (USP) and Telecom Fiji Limited (TFL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

This was to provide partnership and co-operation in the fields of Engineering, Information Technology (IT), and Computing Science for a term of three years.

The MOU established responsibilities of each party in preparing and providing information, documents, and approvals in order that USP and its stakeholders are allowed access to TFL’s experience in terms of industry and technological perspective.

While signing the MOU on October 18, USP’s Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Richard Coll said that the University was looking to introduce students with new skills and this was something which the areas of co-operation in the MOU will provide.

Professor Coll thanked TFL for coming on board to sign the MOU and mentioned a particular part in the document where TFL will help the University in education.

FSTE Dean Anjeela Jokhan said this was the first time an industry has partnered where they are willing to fund some of the activities run by the Faculty.

“This is the start of the kind of partnership that USP has wanted to form with industries. We are very pleased that TFL has seen USP as a partner in the development of applications (apps) to improve customer service.

“It goes to show that as an industry they value the quality of students and graduates that USP produces in Information and Communications Technology (ICT),” Ms Jokhan said.

Ms Jokhan said during the summer break, FSTE would engage some students in developing apps for TFL which they hope to release next year to their customers.

“I hope that more industries will come forward to engage in this type of partnership,” she further added.

Under the MOU, both parties agreed to co-operate in areas such as engagement of USP students and other resources for project related work, setting up of test lab at USP for the purpose of conducting research activities, enhancing and developing additional courses for USP programmes and general project related activities, joint Sponsorship of any ICT related forum, industrial attachment for USP students, TFL sponsored Engineering/IT award for graduating students.

The parties agreed in principle to co-operate with one another during a term of three years to explore and deliver the necessary co-operation and partnership vice -versa to fulfil the terms and obligations of the MOU.

Source: University of the South Pacific

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