Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is my grand pleasure to stand here before you this afternoon to celebrate in this opening ceremony of a modern, new and great Information and Communication Technology Centre at this regional University. Today’s function is a milestone, because it marks the beginning of a new era with promising opportunities and success for many disadvantaged students across the region to follow-suit.

Japan believes its partnership with USP is vital to build manpower in this region and, in addition to the launching of the new state of the Japan-Pacific ICT Centre, Japan through JICA will further assist USP with training programmes for the next three years commencing in February 2010, to develop and establish not only a  sound ICT infrastructure and personnel to optimise the performance of USPNet but also to encourage Distance and Flexible Learning courses as substitute mode of learning for potential learners of the widely scattered island nations in this region where USP campus does not exist. This project exhibits the level of cooperation between Japan and twelve USP member countries. In fact, Japan has been enjoying close relation with USP since 1996 and ever since, has very generously donated funds to upgrade facilities at USP including the marine science complex.

I also wish to call your attention to the fact that this project which includes two buildings, with facilities consisting of computer laboratories and conference rooms with provision of specialised equipment materialised from a grant of JPY 2.2 billion (approx. F$46 million) that was made available for the construction of Phase I works only, however an additional JPY 857 million (approx. F$18 million) has been approved for Phase II works and coincidently, we will also witness the ground breaking ceremony for phase two works on the construction of the multi-purpose lecture theatre today.

I take this opportunity to thank all stakeholders of this project in particular, USP, the Japanese consultant, Azusa Sekkei Company Limited and the contractor, Konoike Construction Company Limited, for the brilliant piece of work displayed in front of us today and I remain hopeful that similar outstanding workmanship will be displayed again by Konoike Construction Company of Japan which has been awarded the tender to continue work on Phase two of this project.

Ladies and gentlemen, with these few words I warmly welcome you all to witness the handing over of this state of the art ICT facility to the University and the ground breaking ceremony for phase two works. It is my hope that works on phase II front will be completed successfully and will become a major yardstick in the development of ICT education in the region.

Thank you.

H.E. President of the Republic of the Fiji Islands, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau

Vice Cancellor of the University of the South Pacific, Professor Rajesh Chandra