USP Library Opening With More To Offer
The University of the South Pacific’s (USP) newly renovated library will cater the seating of 1120 students.
The opening ceremony was conducted yesterday at the library verandah of USP, Laucala, Suva.
The university librarian, Elizabeth Reade Fong, said the renovation was done to cater for the learning styles of millennials, included their preference of technology and devices.
“A total of 343 students can be seated in Level A, 323 students in Level B and 197 students in Level C,” she said.
“We have a gender-neutral toilet downstairs.”
These unisex toilets are breaking the stereotypical nature of bathrooms in Fiji and can be regarded as first of its kind.
There will be 398 power points and Level A will have 174, Level B will have 162 and Level C will have 197 power points.
Ms Fong said their aim was to support and expand the student-centered approaches.
“Our independent learning process, accommodates different study types (i.e. group or quiet) and reflects the diversity of human behavior i.e. different learning preferences and personality types,” she said.
“Our vision for USP Library is to be a premiere academic library and leader in information provision and services in the Pacific region.
“Our mission is to advance the university’s mission by providing equitable regional access to excellent library and information services, resources and facilities for students and faculty and the wider Pacific community to facilitate their lifelong learning activities.”
The Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Pal Ahluwalia, was pleased that the library was a focal point of their campus.
“A good library is essential to ensuring students and researchers that they have the best access to what the world has to offer,” Professor Ahluwalia said.
“I think we have unquestionably the best pacific collection in our library by far.
“The library is now transforming itself into a more interactive space and we had been waiting for that to happen and it will make a difference for our students.”
Future:
Professor Ahluwalia has revealed that he and Vice President Anjeela Jokhan were in the process of refreshing their strategic plans and to take to their council in May.
“So that the plan will really reflect on our ambitions to be a more research-intensive university,” said the Professor.
“It can’t be a research intensive without a library that supports that ambition. The library is a key to research, learning, and to success.”
Edited by Susana Tuilau
Feedback: sheenam.chandra@fijisun.com.fj
