A grant of US$ 29 million dollars has been made available by the Japanese Government for the construction of 2 buildings for USP featuring computer laboratories, conference rooms and specialized equipment. The new Japan-Pacific Information and Communication Technology Centre at the University of the South Pacific will ensure the South Pacific will enhance participation in the global information society. Japans ODA to Fiji Yutaka Yoshizawa say the grant aid will contribute to improve the regional University's distance and flexible learning activities using the USP Net in the Pacific region.
He says interactive distance education become possible between the hub centre at the main Laucala campus in Suva and remote centers in the 12 member countries. Construction of the ICT centre starts on the 23rd January this year with the Azusa Sekkei company limited, a construction company from Japan building the site which is schedule for completion in March 2010. After completion of Japan pacific ICT centre, a JICA technical cooperation project to further enhance ICT education and DFL will be implemented to support maximum utilization of the new ICT centre.
