International students during a previou University of the South Pacific Open Day. event. Photo: The University of the South Pacific
The University of the South Pacific (USP) has an established and well-functioning International Office, which is the first point of contact for prospective and registered international students.
International students are those who hold a nationality of a country other than a USP member country; and are enrolled or registered in a USP programme.
Additionally, the International Office co-ordinates and looks after current USP students going out on exchange programmes.
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Prospective international students are invited to come and visit the International Office based at the Laucala Campus to find out about the programmes, courses, enrolment requirements and other important information needed to register and study with USP.
Indeed, there are more than just one reason for international students to choose USP, including the uniqueness of the university’s programmes and courses/
The fact that USP is the premier institution for higher learning in the region; USP’s provision of quality support, learning and teaching services; specialised support for international students; provision of world class research; tropical climate and cultural diversity; affordability and community engagement.
The primary responsibilities of the International Office include support services to incoming undergraduate and postgraduate international students registered to study at USP; monitoring their expectations and experiences and increasing their enrolments through the development and implementation of the international recruitment strategy.
For USP international students, the International Office coordinates their applications, interviews and selection; arranges for visas and permits for selected students and monitors the expectations and experiences of students going for exchange programmes from USP.
Currently, the International Office manages the USP Exchange Programme, which allows for reciprocal exchange of students between partner institutions. This enables students from USP to undertake a semester of studies at a partner university abroad and for students from partner universities to undertake studies for a semester at USP.
This programme is known as International Student Exchange Programme (ISEP).
It has managed European Union (EU)-funded scholarships under the Erasmus Mundus Programme, such as ANGLE, BULA, DREAM, CARPIMS, MUNDUS ACP and MUNDUS ACP II.
International Office is also the focal point for Erasmus + programmes establishing five partnerships for the mobility of staff and students with universities in Europe; Japan funded Kizuna, JENESYS 2.0, JENESYS 2015, 2016 and 2017; ISEP and the International Studies Abroad (ISA) programme.
While the primary goal and priority of the International Office is USP’s international students and prospective students, they are generally happy to assist any individuals, faculties, departments/sections, and visitors needing assistance and advice. Come on down and learn more about them at this year’s Open Day!
Source: University of the South Pacific
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