CAPTION: USP Vice-Chancellor, Professor Rajesh Chandra and CEO, SkyEdu Fiji, Mr Joo Bong Lee. Photo: USP.
The University of the South Pacific and SkyEdu (Investment Limited) Fiji, from South Korea, agreed to work towards strengthening their ties following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to formalize arrangements for academic cooperation.
The signing took place at the USP Laucala Campus in Suva on 7 June, 2013, with the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Chandra and Chief Executive Officer of SkyEdu Fiji, Mr Joo Bong Lee, being the signatories.
SkyEdu Investment Limited is an independent student recruitment company based in South Korea and has been is registered in Fiji since 2010. Following its inception in 2007, it has recruited over 200 Korean students to study English under the Fijian educational system.
The agreement will foster a friendly working relationship through mutual cooperation between SkyEdu Fiji and the University of the South Pacific to recruit students from South Korea, Japan and China to undertake English language studies at USP.
Speaking at the signing, the Vice-Chancellor and President of USP, Professor Rajesh Chandra thanked the dignitaries present and said USP was pleased to partner with SkyEdu Fiji, saying that this will provide an avenue to develop closer relations with South Korea.
The Vice-Chancellor further said that the signing of the agreement comes at an opportune time, as it fits in very nicely with the start of implementation of the University’s Strategic Plan 2013-2018, “especially in the aim to internationalise the University. Our students would also benefit greatly, from this cooperation”.
“This visit and the signing of this MOU represent a significant step forward in the University’s strategic goals to increase our international profile and reputation as well as to improve the student experience at USP,” he said.
He said it is gratifying to see that our academic achievements and standards are being recognised not only within the region but internationally.
The Vice-Chancellor acknowledged that 11.5% of USP’s current international student population is from these countries and that the University has a healthy relationship with the governments of these countries.
He said that students enrolled in the SkyEdu programme will greatly benefit from the highly diverse, multicultural environment at USP.
The Vice-Chancellor assured SkyEdu Fiji that the University is very committed towards working with SkyEdu Fiji on this MOU and that the USP International Office and the Faculty of Arts, Law and Education will provide all the support to ensure that students coming to study under this MOU will enjoy a rewarding, challenging and high-quality academic experience at USP.
The collaboration between the two will benefit not only the students but also staff, who will be provided with a cross-cultural learning experience.
Director SkyEdu Fiji, Mrs Cho Hoa Young, said the SkyEdu Fiji was delighted to have a partnership with the University, and said they were grateful for the opportunity.
PRESS RELEASE