FACULTY OF BUSINESS

AND ECONOMICS
N E W S L E T T E R
VOLUME 5 NO. 2 NOVEMBER 2013

INSIDE
this issue:

1
School of Management and Public
Administration wins FBE 3rd Annual
Interschool Debates Grand Final

5
FBE Congratulates its 2013
School of Management and Public Administration
September Graduates
wins FBE 3rd Annual Interschool
Debates Grand Final
7 SOMPA Debating Team members, clockwise from back left: Shinal Prasad, Dr Drew Allbritten (SOMPA Sr Fellow),
Sekope Cavalevu, Dr Kesaia Seniloli (Acting Dean, FBE), Alicia Kenilorea (Team Captain and best debater from
SOMPA), Mahu Saanga.
FBE hosts successful 2013

T
Open Day The faculty is pleased observe the consolidation in the debating
he School of Management and Public Administration
(SOMPA) debating team, facing off against the School series. Growing student and staff involvement and enthusiasm

10
of Government, Development and International
Affairs (SGDIA) team, talked their way to the top in the 3rd
FBE Annual Interschool Debates Grand Final on Friday 18th
October 2013. SMPA debaters proposed the motion, ‘Pacific
are indicative of recognition of the fun and value in this method
of sharpening analytical and communicative skills and building
confidence and poise.
Earlier-round highlights

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Fiji Economic Update 2013 Islands Countries should require that 30% of its executive he fifth, sixth & eight rounds of debate were convened
leadership positions be held by women’; SGDIA debaters Face to Face all at once on Friday 20th September 2013
opposed the motion. at the FBE conference room. In the fifth round of the 2013

16 Affirmative team members (75% of them female, it may be

noted) were Alicia Hilly Kenilorea (Captain}, Mahu Saanga
,Shinal Prasad and the alternate speaker- Sekope Cavalevu.
The opposing team included Ruveni Gacala (Captain),
Diplomacy and International
Adi Veti Kalokalo and Moana Waqa. Mr Noel Lawlor, USP
Affairs Workshop
Director of Assurance and Compliance was the Moderator
debate series, the SOMPA team 1 narrowly defeated SOAF on
the motion ‘The internet should not be controlled’. The SOAF
team, Adi Lilyninatewa Wainiu, Mohammed Azim Ishak,
Aashqeen Hassan and Kaliova Nadumu, spoke for the motion
while SMPA opposed it.
In the sixth round the SGDIA team prevailed over STHM on

19
while the judging panel comprised lead judge, Hon. Paul
Madigan (Judge, High Court of Fiji), Rosalyn Morgan (Senior
Manager, Regional Education Development Cooperation,
AusAID), Dr Robert Epstein (Professor of Psychology, School
of Social Science, FALE) and Litia Konusi (Group Manager,
USP ODN 4th Biennial Conference
Student Administrative Services). The large enthusiastic
audience included students and staff, among them the
the motion ‘Whistleblowers are just disgruntled employees
and should be fired’, SGDIA speaking for the motion and STHM
against it. Adi Veti Vukalokulo, Moana Waqa, Ruveni Gacala and
Manasa Suguturaga represented SGDIA and Jone Ledua, Balbir
Singh, Jacinta Lal & Joseph Rosa wore the colours for STHM.
In the eighth round SLMD, opposing the motion, defeated

20
Dean of FBE, Dr Kesaia Seniloli, and DVC, Learning and the proposers SOE, contesting the motion ‘Always tell the
Teaching, Prof. Susan Kelly. truth’. (Future property buyers and sellers, you have been
warned . Watch the values!) The School of Economics team
Nor was it all just hot air. Delivery of judgment laid best
comprised Sonal Sharma, Ashneel Prasad, Alex Honale and
speaker honours at the feet of Alicia Kenilorea, flagbearer for
Fond Farewell Aartika Nath; Patrick Fataga, Mele Sotiana, Jason Titifanue
the victors, and Ruveni Gacala for the loosing team. SOMPA
and Poasa Veidreyaki upheld the banner of the School of
also found favour by a narrow margin in the popular votes.
Land Management.
Editor: Barbara Hau’ofa Continued on page 3
Desktop Publisher: Rusila Koroivuki
 www.fbe.usp.ac.fj

From the Acting Dean’s office

Dr. Kesaia Seniloli

‘The goal of true education is Intelligence
plus Character,’ said Martin Luther King,
Jr and ‘The fate of a country depends upon
the education of the people of the country,’
according to Benjamin Disraeli.
Postgraduate students. Motivating and inspirational messages were well received by
a student audience through captivating presentations on the topics; ‘Knowing Who
You Are’ and ‘Postgraduate Studies – the World of Opportunities’ by Mesake Nawari
of GSB and Apisalome Movono of STHM, respectively.
In addition, FBE again hosted a number of seminars, workshops and public lectures

U
ndeniably, these are the far-reaching goals with local and international presenters addressing global economic development
for us as educators, and the Faculty of issues and challenges affecting our local and regional markets. These forums provide
Business and Economics has long pledged useful platforms for critical debates and informative discussions among local,
commitment to fulfilling those visions of creating regional and international stakeholders, harnessing valuable insights and practical
and producing intelligent, dynamic and academically solutions to existing and potential economic development endeavours and problems
sound graduates, who will no doubt decide the fate of our respective countries as future in the region. The bottom line is the contribution we can make toward the formation
leaders. So this is the time when we, as a school, association and individual staff, look of better regional development policies through informed policy making processes.
back bemused at how time has brisked past almost without our noticing as we ponder
On the other hand, while discussions mainly focus on economic development
our semester’s or year’s work, our various involvements and experiences, our goals and
policies, youth unemployment has inexorably become a critical Pacific regional and
objectives; how well have we achieved them and what gaps remain to be filled. In fact,
world issue. At a seminar in observation of the International Youth Day, co-hosted by
we will do so every time we are about to turn one and reveal another page, knowing there
the School of Economics and other agencies, the International Labour Organisation
is always room for improvement. Even with dedication and allegiance to our work and
(ILO) specialist stressed ‘entrepreneurship’ as a viable option and encouraged young
our calling, our best will never suffice and we are never fully satisfied with our own hard
people to learn entrepreneurial skills and become self-employed, establishing
efforts, although we execute always to our best.
their own businesses as a way to tackle youth unemployment in the Pacific. As the
Indeed, as we count down to the close of yet another semester and academic year, I Samoan Prime Minister said, ‘If you want to be healthy, earn good income, have lots
wish to commend sincerely the work of all staff – academic, support, administrative and of free time and be your own Boss, then study Agriculture’.
auxiliary – in fulfilling our collective responsibilities not only to our students, but to USP
Moreover, FBE has never been more dynamic in its marketing initiatives. This year,
and the region at large. I have no doubt that this semester’s school-based initiatives and
FBE targeted both the local and regional secondary school leavers. Direct visits were
faculty-based undertakings, both local and international, have demonstrated mutual
made to many high schools and colleges in Fiji, Tonga and Samoa. Likewise, this
teamwork spirit and character in realising your individual school aims and objectives
year’s Open Day was again a successful marketing avenue, where staff and students’
and our faculty’s overarching goal – ensuring improvement and enhancement of our
joint efforts were physically and overtly exhibited in localising and regionalising FBE’s
students’ career prospects, while promoting intercultural understanding so they can
academic services and offerings to its prospective education seekers. The School of
contribute to the sustainable economic development of our Pacific countries. I thank you,
Economics had booths at Laucala, Lautoka and Labasa campuses, and also won the
each and every one, and congratulate all for your hard work and contributions to FBE’s
best display of the day award at the FBE Laucala village.
professional profile and reputation, thus far.
Having the ODN chairmanship, FBE has been very much a cadre of global development
It is at this time, too, that we remember with fond memories our dear colleagues that
research under the GDN umbrella, whose mission is to empower young researchers,
have passed on and those who have moved on to pursue other goals. But in particular,
strengthen research skills and mobilise research for public policy. As such, FBE
FBE pays special tribute to three of its long-serving, dedicated and most committed
highlights with pride the success of its PhD graduates and internationally recognised
and experienced family members and HOSs, who will be leaving us soon: Professor
researchers for the high quality of their research findings leading towards better
David Harrison, Head of the School of Tourism and Hospitality Management, Professor
economic sustainability in the Pacific.
Dominique Fischer, Head of the School of Land Management and Development and
Professor Saqib Jafarey, Head of the School of Economics. We convey herein our heartfelt The latest to shine include Sanjay Anand, a SAFT PhD candidate, who recently won
gratitude to you all for your shared expertise and most dedicated services to FBE; your the Best Paper Award after his debut public presentation, on the theme ‘Soils for
smiles, no less than your guru advice and vibrancy, will surely be missed around FBE Survival’, in the Philippines, as part of his PhD project. Winning the award was
premises. We wish you all the best of health, happy holidays and prosperous life ahead as further reassurance of his confidence in being on the right track to attaining his
our ways diverge. Thank you and God bless. project’s long-term objectives. Others are Dr Sanjesh Kumar, an SOE alumnus and
a new PhD graduate of Monash University in Melbourne, who has joined SOE as a
In overview, FBE has engaged in numerous activities as individual schools and as a faculty,
lecturer; and Dr Poasa Tabuaciri, a SAFT alumnus and PhD graduate of the University
through significant partnerships with local, regional and international bodies and higher
of New England in Australia. Having joined SAFT as a lecturer, he brings with him
education institutions, some of which will continue until new initiatives and connections
14 years of practical experience and expertise in Livestock with the Fiji Ministry of
are in place. Through these engagements, we have created exchange and mobility for
Agriculture. His current target is to expand networks with the on-the-ground farmers
our present and future students, academics and researchers at all levels, paving the way
in the rural areas where the real challenges are and find real solutions to the livestock
for FBE’s contribution to the mutual enrichment of our Pacific societies within the world
industry’s limited production in the region.
community by developing the qualifications and learning capacity of our students so that
they possess appropriate skills, especially in the labour market, with minds opened and FBE congratulates and welcomes these ‘sons’ back on board with more academic
outlook broadened and deepened through international experience. affluence to be shared and imparted to our current and future students, researchers
and policy makers and implementers. On the same note, FBE congratulates Dr
I turn the spotlight onto FBE’s first ever REACT interschool debating joust between SAFT in
Andreea Torre for the completion of her PhD from London School of Economics and
Apia and SOMPA in Laucala, supplementing the f2f mode and boosting online association
welcomes entomologist Dr Rashmi Kant with his wealth of visions for SAFT’s forward
among our regional campus students. This was an exciting first-hand learning experience
development and agricultural sustainability in the Pacific region. Last, but not the
for students and the faculty as a whole for future sessions.
least, FBE congratulates all its graduands of this year, 2013.
Also, the university’s maiden Careers Fair held on Wednesday 13th August 2013 exploited
I hope you will have a Happy Christmas and a Prosperous and Successful 2014!
FBE’s valued contribution, being the pioneer advocate of careers fairs at USP for its
 www.fbe.usp.ac.fj
Continued from page 1

FBE hosts first-ever REACT debate session

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roud to add another First to its list, the Faculty has now had its baptismal
Debating Session Convened Online. The two participating schools were the
Apia based School of Agriculture and Food Technology and the Laucala
based School of Management and Public Administration.
Introducing the session on behalf of the Dean of the Faculty of Business and
Economics, the Deputy Vice Chancellor Learning and Teaching, Professor
Susan Kelly, thanked the FBE Dean and the Faculty for utilising the technology Inside the REACT room. From left: Jone Lako (SOMPA debating team coach), Margaret
Vuiyasawa, Ashwin Raj, Rosalyn Morgan, Prof. Susan Kelly, Patricia Loga, Nilima
to convene such a trailblazing event. The debate ran smoothly, without any Prasad, Evia Tavanavanua and Alex Honale.
technical difficulty. Engaging with SOAFT across the waters, SOMPA triumphed
over their faculty sibling. and audience. She also passed on the tips that using too many quotations in a case
can be misleading and that in a debate the usage of visual aids is not permitted.
While the debate was deemed a success in many ways, lead judge Mrs Rosalyn
Morgan, commented insightfully on the nature of the medium. Being online The debaters spoke well though it was a learning experience for all of them.
deprives debaters of a significant degree of persuasiveness; debating skills Evengeline Potifara, Rose Mary Votaia, Takili Tairi and John Meonga contested for
flourish where speakers are in face-to-face, ‘real’ contact with opposing team SOAFT; Evia Tavanavanua, Nilima Prasad, Patricia Loga and Alex Honale for SOMPA.

STHM debating team members. From left, Jone Ledua, Balbir Singh, Jacinta Lal, Judges of Debate 6, SOAF vs SMPA. From left, Noel Lawlor, Rev. Akuila Yabaki (Lead Judge)
Apisalome Movono (Coach) and Joseph Rosa. and Pita Bulamainaivalu.

School Debating Team – challenging ‘talk tasks’ for SGDIA

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he SGDIA Debate Team started of this year’s the motion – ‘Whistleblowers are just disgruntled
FBE Inter-school debate series with a win employees and should be fired’. On 20 September
against the School of Economics, while 2013, the SGDIA team went against the School of
opposing the motion of ‘Governments must never Tourism Hospitality and Management. The STHM Team
limit the freedom of speech’. On 3 May 2013 the was a formidable side, with great crowd support and
team, led by Ruveni Gacala, consisted of Laisa quite vocal speakers, who were coached by the first
Bulate, Moana Waqa and Peni Kuinikoro. The national Inter-Tertiary Europa Debates, best Debater of
win was quite an uphill battle, considering the 2010, Apisalome Movono. Despite this, the SGDIA team
implications of having to oppose such a motion and was able to claim victory, being led by Ruveni Gacala
the fact that the opposition team consisted of the with Moana Waqa and the two new members, Adi Veti
likes of Elzur Nasho and Robison Chand, who are Vukalokalo and Manasa Suguturaga. Encouragement
key and experienced debaters. This was especially The first debate against the School of Economics - From
from the Head of School, Professor Vijay Naidu, on
true of Robinson Chand, who had reached the left, Moana Waqa, Laisa Bulatale, Ruveni Gacala and
Peni Kuinikoro the day of the debate, boosted the team’s morale and
Inter-tertiary level in the Europa 2012 competition. propelled the team forward to their win. The team was
The Second semester began with another great challenge, as two debate team now able to qualify for the finals and as with every other motion given them in the
members had moved on and once again the topic position was not necessarily series, they were the recipients of the tougher position on an even tougher motion
favourable for the SGDIA team. The team was given the task of affirming for the final.

FB E NEWSLETTER 3
 www.fbe.usp.ac.fj

USP Careers Fair – FBE Faculty Focus Session a success

T
he Faculty of Business and Economics hosted a
successful Faculty Focus session during the University
Careers Fair mounted on Wednesday 13th August 2013.
Students who attended were beneficiaries of inspirational
presentations from two academics cum practitioners, Mesake
Nawari and Apisalome Movono. Mesake Nawari chose to
focus on the personal dimension: ‘Knowing who you are’.
Apisalome Movono looked at the nature of the experience:
‘Postgraduate studies – the world of opportunities’.
Benefits for students attending included eye-opening
information on career opportunities that they can actually
apply for. In addition to advice on career prospects available
for them, they were also advised on how they can be Mr Mesake Nawari inspiring FBE students
Staff of the Fiji Development Bank talking to students in their booth during the Faculty Focus session of the
successful, with an emphasis on values with a lifelong shelf- during the Careers Fair2013. 2013 Careers Fair held at the Japan ICT
life. In Mesake’s words, ‘You are blessed to bless others’. Multipurpose Theatre.

Vice Chancellor convenes FBE staff forum

The Vice Chancellor convened a meeting with FBE
staff members on Thursday, 19 September 2013
in the new FBE Postgraduate Library Theatre.
Numerous staff members were in attendance,
despite heavy work schedules.
The Vice Chancellor discussed with staff members
Vice Chancellor, Professor Rajesh how the University will achieve the Strategic
Chandra, addressing FBE staff
members. Plan 2013–2018. He stressed that the University
is building on the previous plan, but moving in
a new direction in its best endeavour to improve its service to the students
and staff in the region. Staff members were also given the opportunity to ask
questions at the forum and during the cocktail that followed.
Prior to the Vice Chancellor’s
address, the Dean availed
herself of the opportunity to
congratulate Dr Andreea Torre on
the completion of her PhD from
London School of Economics. The
Dean also welcomed all new FBE
staff members including Dr I-Ling
Kuo, Anawaite Matadradra, Anjani
Mala, Krishal Prasad, Kushbu Rai Members of FBE staff at the cocktail hosted by the
and other new Accounting and Vice Chancellor in the refurbished FBE Courtyard.
Economics Teaching Assistants.

Westpac lays bait for Graduate Trainees

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niversities have a reputation for being ivory towers, out of touch with
real-worldly realities. FBE, aware of this potential weakness, encourages
initiatives that make it easier for our graduates to make a smooth transition
into challenging and interesting jobs in the workplace where the knowledge and
skills we have been helping them to develop will be put to good use.
This year, we were pleased to welcome a Westpac Team to our faculty to
promote the bank’s graduate trainee programme to all final year FBE students.
The many students who attended the session were eager to learn more about
this programme, which the bank offers not only in Fiji but in Solomon Islands,
Kiribati, Tonga, Samoa and other smaller Pacific Islands states.
The representative from Westpac, Ms Dipika Darshani, used this opportunity
offered on August 6th 2013 to urge students to be thorough and to follow
instructions while filling in the application form. (Is this the first test of level
of education attained? Certainly, intelligent and correct form-filling can
easily be seen as essential skills, not only in the bankers’ institutions but in
most areas of the workplace.)
Ms Darshani also advised students to give attention to improving their
interview skills, their facility with taking aptitude tests and importantly,
their ability to express themselves well, whether in speech or writing.

Ms Dipika Darshani filling in FBE final-year students FBE final-year students paying attention to the FBE final-year students at the Westpac’s graduate
about Westpac’s graduate trainee programme. presentation by Ms Dipika Darshani at the Westpac’s trainee programme.
graduate trainee programme.

4 FBE NEWSLETTER
 www.fbe.usp.ac.fj

FBE congratulates its September 2013 graduates

The Faculty of Business and Economics takes pride and pleasure in congratulating the 251 FBE students who graduated in the September 2013 Graduation.
We wish them all well in their future endeavours, not only on the job but also in the quality of their lives. For this we have been making our contribution to
their preparation. USP alumni, life’s journey is opening out, not ending, with this qualification you have achieved.

Faculty of Business and Economics Graduates at the USP September 2013 Graduation

FBE works the beat in school visits

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his year, as usual, Student Administrative Services organised a round of school
visits in July 2013. As usual, the Faculty of Business and Economics was happy to
take part, accepting ‘representation rights’ in the Western and Northern school
visits.
Provisional application forms were issued to students during the visit.
Many of the students met showed strong interest in the programmes
offered by the faculty and expressed their interest in joining the USP and
FBE in 2014.

In a hectic round, the team visited 17 schools in the Western division, and 21 schools The annual school visits are an important promotional tool keeping
in the Northern division. Advice was given on programme possibilities they can take the University’s profile positive and prominent in the community that
up with the faculty and the career opportunities that are thus opened for them. supports it. 

Tonga and Samoa marketing visits for STHM, 19–26 October 2013

A
School of Tourism and Hospitality Management marketing activity
initiative for 2013 was to send a team on a goodwill cum fact-finding
mission to two of the regional campuses. Marika Kuilamu and Lorissa
Hazelman from STHM, and Maleli Nauluvula, the FBE First Year Experience
Coordinator, visited Tonga and Samoa to spread the word to tourism industry
stakeholders from the schools upwards on tourism programmes offered at USP
and also to listen to what they had to say.
Both visits produced valuable insights into the needs and constraints that
confront tourism educators in these countries where the tourism industry is
less developed than in Fiji. Teachers and ministry officials contacted were able
to identify particular problem areas – inadequacies of resources, information
and support; of information about opportunities and possibilities at all
levels of training in the tourism industry; and relatively weak stakeholder
collaboration.
Industry stakeholders in both public and private sectors were able to
articulate their needs and constraints for training and development, and
were most receptive to what the team was able to tell them about existing
opportunities and future hopes and plans.
Encouraging features include the prominence of STHM alumni in a range of
influential formative positions and the positive response generated by the
simple outreach by the team to explore with the practitioners the needs,
problems and recommendations that they see for their situation. The gains in
understanding were mutually beneficial and suggest that further give-and-
take communication of this type is much to be encouraged.

FB E NEWSLETTER 5
 www.fbe.usp.ac.fj
FYE visits Samoa and Tonga, 19–26 October 2013
T
he week that the FYE Coordinator Mr Maleli Nauluvula subsequently spent
in visiting Samoa and Tonga proved to be an opportune time to promote
the importance and effectiveness of the attention to first-year experience
and students in transition programme.
In both countries, workshop participants were enthusiastic about this new
undertaking by the university and many pointed out the desirability of
introducing the FYE programme to students in their final year of secondary
education. This would bridge the considerable gulf between secondary and
tertiary education. One suggestion was that partnering with careers teachers
would be ideal, because students would be alerted to the FYE programme
before joining USP.
Campus staff members who attended the workshops were also receptive to the
concept of FYE and expressed willingness to roll out its initiatives next year.
The visit allowed Mr Nauluvula to discuss the effectiveness of the Success@
USP programme with the staff members usually tasked to administer it. One
USP Staff members at Nuku‘alofa, STHM staff members and FYE Coordinator
during School visit in Nuku‘alofa
FYE Talanoa Session, 16 September 2013
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he First Year Experience Coordinator, Maleli Nauluvula, has begun to take
stock of its first year of operation. In mid-September he called together an
FYE Talanoa session at which the hope was to engage with this year’s crop
of first-year students to find out how they are feeling about their own first-year
experience.
This FYE Talanoa gave students a chance to learn more about the resources
available within the university and what would lie ahead in their later years
of study. In addition, it was a good opportunity for giving academic staff a
summary of the overall objectives of the FYE programme and its operation to
date. Academics present showed their support for facilitating any plans to help
first-year students continue on to second and further years of study.
Students’ questions and feedback on their university experience so far were
enlightening and they offered constructive suggestions on ways in which FBE
Faculty of Business and Economics First Year Students and University
Staff members at the FBE First Year Students Talanoa Session
6 FBE NEWSLETTER
thing that came through clearly was the need to revamp the Success@
USP programme to include the cultural, social, emotional, physical, and
psychological aspects of students’ transition to university. The campus staff
indicated that the FYE initiatives carried out in Laucala should be replicated
in Samoa and Tonga.
The Samoa government Scholarship unit, having learned of the FYE initiative,
is eager to work with us on smoothing students’ transition to university. The
programme would augment the University Preparatory Year (UPY) that is
being offered by NUS.
The workshop provided an opportunity to promote all the academic
programmes FBE offers. Overall, the visit was mainly to inform and build
partnership with the regional campuses and careers teachers. Given that
FYE Programme is a new undertaking, a lot of work remains to be done to
promote it to all the regional campuses.
FYE Coordinator, Maleli Nauluvula, talks with stakeholders at the meeting in Tonga
could help them succeed in their first year of study. Student attendees were
happy for their voices to be heard on how the office of first-year experience
can best serve their needs and help them deal with their first-year challenges.
Making the most of the opportunity to interact freely, staff and students
identified some of the important factors that tend to affect student
performance at USP. Two linked critical issues highlighted relate to financial
and textbook problems. Late disbursement of allowances has had a very bad
effect on some students’ morale because their inability to purchase textbooks
on time caused them to lag behind in their study.
The FYE office will continue to partner with the student guild and all student
support units of the university in order to build a better learning community
for our first year students.
Raijieli Bulatale, Manager Inclusive Development USP, addressing
Faculty of Business and Economics First Year Students
 www.fbe.usp.ac.fj

Open hearts, open paths, Open Day!

FBE hosts successful 2013 Open Day

T
he Faculty of Business and Economics was gratified to host a successful
2013 open day in all three Fiji campuses, Laucala, Labasa and Lautoka
on Friday August 9th. All three campuses recorded major turn-outs of
secondary school students and even working students.
Marika Kuilamu and Narendra Prasad represented FBE at the Labasa Campus
Open Day while Sunil Kumar and Madhukar Singh provided the ‘Faculty face’ at
the Lautoka Campus.
At Laucala, the FBE village, comprising all eight FBE schools, displayed the range
of courses and career paths to which their respective offerings open the way.
The unique feature of the FBE village this year was its orientation booth where
all students were introduced to the 8 schools before taking the tour to the eight
booths. As well as receiving academic advice on their career paths, students
participated in quizzes for which prizes were awarded.
At the end of the day, the Acting Dean, Dr Kesaia Seniloli, hosted all FBE staff
members to a cocktail at which she introduced the new staff members including
Dr I-Ling Kuo, Senior Lecturer, School of Tourism and Hospitality Management
and Mr Maleli Nauluvula, former USP Academic returning as First Year Experience
Coordinator. The Acting Dean also thanked all staff members for the effort put
into the displays and for all their hard work. The School of Economics received a
monetary award for best display.
SOE contributes to the FBE village in USP’s Open Day 2013
The School of Economics contributed successfully to the faculty’s open day
on 9 August 2013. With enthusiasm and hard work, students and staff were
able to put up an attractive showing for SOE. A number of competitions
gave students opportunity to display their creative thoughts about the open
day theme, ‘USP – shaping your future’. Through competitions, students
produced a number of models and posters on the role of economics and
the school in shaping their future, which were displayed during open day.
Student and staff efforts in setting up the display were rewarded gratifyingly:
SOE won the Faculty best display, after three judges independently judged
the many display boards and booths in the FBE village. Their criteria related
to five key areas: relevance to the theme, effort, attractiveness, innovation
and presentation.
The Reserve Bank of Fiji and the Fiji Islands Bureau of Statistics also actively
participated in SOE’s open day efforts, enlightening students on the support
bank and the bureau outputs give to the role of economics in solving
important problems faced by economies and societies.
Apart from displays and information, a number of entertaining activities
were also provided for students visiting the SOE booth.

The Graduate School of Business participated in the USP Open Day at Laucala
and Lautoka Campuses. The number of potential students showing interest in
our programme made it an overwhelming experience for personnel manning
the Laucala booth.
Lautoka Centre had organised a two-day open day on 9 and 10 August. The
participating audience made positive suggestions on the logistics of offering
a new cohort from Lautoka USP Centre. Serious consideration is being given to
Primary School Students at the School of Agriculture booth
this proposal.

Officials from the Fiji Islands Bureau of Statistics Students of Ballantine Memorial School throng the Officials from the Reserve Bank of Fiji weighing in
demonstrate the added value of numbers at the SOE displays at the SOE booth at the FBE village during at the School of Economics booth at the FBE village
booth at the FBE village during the USP open day. USP open day. during USP open day.

Students of Assemblies of God High School Graduate School of Business Staff members at the Students of Cuvu College involve themselves in the
sampling the School of Tourism booth GSB booth displays from the School of Land Management and
Development

FB E NEWSLETTER 7
 www.fbe.usp.ac.fj

FBE Welcomes New Staff Members

SAFT welcomes a new livestock specialist to its fold
Dr Poasa Tabuaciri joined School of Agriculture and
Food Technology, Alafua Campus on July 5. He is
from Qamea Island, which is on the east of Taveuni
(North of Fiji). He began working in the Livestock
section of the Fiji College of Agriculture, under the
Ministry of Agriculture, from 1996 to 2010. In 2002
he graduated with a Bachelor of Agriculture degree
from USP. He also holds a Master of Science degree in
Animal Science from the National Pingtung University
of Science and Technology (Taiwan, ROC) and a PhD in
Animal Genetics and Breeding from the University of New England (Australia).
From the whole SAFT and USP family, we wholeheartedly welcome Dr Poasa
Tabuaciri.
SAFT welcomes a new entomologist to its brood
Dr Kant is originally from India but lived in New
Zealand for the last 7 years before joining USP.
His research interest includes insect ecology,
pest management, biodiversity conservation,
environmental management and climate change He
holds doctoral degree in Entomology from Massey
University, NZ and is keen to work/collaborate with
staff in his area of interest. Your SAFT family is happy
to have you aboard, Dr Rashmi Kant!
SOE welcomes new Academic Staff member
Sanjesh Kumar, who graduated
with a PhD degree from Monash
University, Melbourne, Australia on
26 September 2013, has joined the
School of Economics as a lecturer.
His thesis is titled ‘Essays on
Growth and Development’ and his
continuing research interests are in
Financial Development, International
Trade, Economic Growth and
Macroeconomics.
STHM Welcomes Senior Academic Staff Member
Dr. I-Ling Kuo joined the School of
Tourism and Hospitality Management
as a Senior Lecturer in August 2013. This
is her first time in the South Pacific. She
was born and grew up in Taiwan and
worked in the tourism industry there
prior to pursuing higher qualifications in
the United Kingdom. Upon completion
of her PhD at Bournemouth University,
she moved to Dubai, United Arab
Emirates (UAE) living and working there
for three years. In 2006 she returned to the United Kingdom to take up a post
at London Metropolitan University.
Her interests are in the area of tourism in protected areas such as national
parks and geo parks, and development through tourism. She believes that
when tourism is appropriately planned and well managed it can assist
economic development, facilitate resource conservation and foster national,
regional and local identify and pride.
Travelling, wildlife and nature, outdoor pursuit, getting to know people
from different cultures and planning, especially food plants, are her main
hobbies.
FBE Welcomes its First Year Experience Coordinator
The Faculty of Business & Economics
welcomed Mr. Maleli Nauluvula who
has returned to the University and to
the Faculty as the First Year Experience
Coordinator. Mr. Nauluvula graduated with
a BA from USP and later with a MEcon from
Kobe University, Japan. He was employed
as an Assistant Lecturer in the School of
Economics from July 2010-July 2012. He
also taught in the USA and Palau. During
his tenure at the Palau Community College,
he was involved in much of the First year
experience activities. In Mr Nauluvula’s
words, ‘I am honored and excited that this position will allow me to envision
and develop activities and programs that will make our first year student’s
experience at USP, especially FBE exciting.’

The Faculty of Business & Economics is also delighted to welcome the following Staff Members that joined the Faculty in July 2013 and
wish them every success here at FBE. Welcome.

Staff Name School/ Department Position

Mr Aporosa Kaunisela Vuinakelo FBE General Office Finance Assistant

Ms Shayal Shamlee Sharma School of Accounting & FInance Teaching Assistant
Ms Jeetal Pritasha Shyam School of Accounting & FInance Teaching Assistant
Ms Khushbu Rai School of Economics Teaching Assistant
Ms Anawaite Vuevata Matadradra School of Gov & Development Studies Research Assistant
Ms. Sela Akanisi Epeli School of Gov & Development Studies Secretary

8 FBE NEWSLETTER
 www.fbe.usp.ac.fj
FBE Student Learning Support, Semester 2 Activities
S
tudent Learning Support activities address a great need in the effort achieve
USP’s academic and personal goals for its graduates. Every semester FBE-
SLS offers Academic Skills workshops for all interested students. Though
this support for students may be dismissed complacently (and erroneously) as
‘spoon-feeding’ and ‘remedial Band-aids’,such is far from the case. Intelligence
without basic language skills in reading, writing and communication, and
hobbled by bad experiences and damaged self-esteem, will scarcely meet the
needs.
The primary intention of these workshops is to create a firm foundation of
awareness on the generic skills needed to excel in academic studies and to
provide some practical know-how on the development and application of those
skills.
However, despite regular dissemination of notices through All Staff and
Students mail and by course lecturers, for students’ information, numbers of
attendees at the workshops remain dispiritingly low, with a marked tendency
to fall off as the semester proceeds.
FBE staff assisting students
Students engaged in Academic Activity at FBE
Workshop evaluations indicate great appreciation for the sessions from those
who do come, as well as requests for sessions on a wider range of academic
skills.
To extend support services to a greater number of students and to make
the skills specific to course requirements, SLS staff members have also been
invited for guest sessions, as shown in the next table.
The Drop-In service has also attracted 134 students with individual challenges
and issues with regard to their specific courses. Students are able to seek face
to face consultations on a ‘drop in’ basis or email their requests.
We thank the Acting Dean and FBE staff for their support.
We, the SLS staff, have really enjoyed extending academic learning support
services to our students this semester as well as having collaboration with
our academic staff. We hope to continue working more closely with them all
in 2014. With this, we wish everyone a prosperous New Year on the tail of a
successful round of exams.
FBE staff advising and counseling students
FB E NEWSLETTER 9
 www.fbe.usp.ac.fj

Fiji Economy Update in Suva, 20 August 2013

F
ollowing its now well established tradition, FBE’s School of Economics improve further . . . this year, and with the exception of the mining and quarry
mounted a successful Fiji Economy sector, all sectors will contribute to this
Update for 2013. The yearly event growth . . . The projection for 2013 will
brings together research output on critical be the highest since 2004.’ Discussions
aspects of the Fiji economy in an attempt with the IMF delegation that visited Fiji
to assist policy-makers to make informed in August agreed first, that economic
decisions. growth in 2013 would be higher than
2012, with a forecast of 3 per cent, and
This year’s update focused on the themes of
secondly, that Fiji has the potential to do
employment, with particular emphasis on
even better.
the development of the Northern region.
Speakers were drawn from different sectors The Update offered three sessions, in
of Fiji –government officials, academics which contributions from the floor to
and representatives of international important discussions on economic
organisations. issues were welcome: economic update
of Fiji; employment and labour markets;
In welcoming individuals and organisations
and northern and regional development
attending, the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Dr Mr Barry Whiteside, Governor of the Reserve Bank of Bank,
addressing the Fiji Economic Update audience.
(in Fiji).
Esther Williams, spoke of the timeliness
of the Update in the light of the rapidly In a historic step, the second session of
approaching deadline for the UN Millennium the Update was held in Labasa on 23
Development Goals (MDGs) and the launching of USP’s six-year Strategic Plan, August 2013, the first time for the Northern Division to be a focal point for this
2013–2018. ‘The University is planning to launch a Centre for Economic Policy and forum. The novelty attracted participants from government, academia, NGOs
Modelling to be linked with the School of Economics’, she said. The Centre’s two and the general public.
main functions will be to create models to forecast key macroeconomic indicators The session devoted to Northern Development discussed resource ownership
and to undertake research on specific issues and challenges facing the region. and usage, especially the importance of adequate consultation and
information. Panel discussion of issues that
relevant stakeholders and government should
worry about gave prominence to feasibility
and environmental impact assessments,
interpretation of their findings, stakeholder
consultation, the ailing sugar industry, further
tourism development in the North, and
poverty and unemployment. Better regional
development policies that could be harnessed
through informed policy making processes were
Professor Biman Prasad posing a question to one of the Dr Jagdish Bharti addresses the Fiji Economy Update in clearly indicated as a prime need.
presenters during the Fiji economy update while Professor Labasa.
Jafarey (on the front seat) listens . The wrap-up panel’s summary insights on the
day’s proceedings directly linked to short- and
medium-term growth and longer-term development policy. The consensus
The Governor of the Reserve Bank of Fiji, Mr Barry Whiteside, noted in his keynote view recognised the need for adequate and supportive infrastructure, more
address the country’s 3.3 per cent expansion in Gross Domestic Product from last investment incentives to sustain economic growth and creative long-term
year, following a 1.9 per cent increase in 2011. ‘Growth prospects are expected to plans for regional development in the North.

School of Economics - Seminars

The School of Economics sponsored several stimulating seminars and other colloquia of various kinds in the second semester of 2013.
2. Mr Chikahisa Sumi, currently the Assistant Director of
1. Justin Smirk, Senior Economist the Asia and Pacific Department of the International
with Westpac's economic research team, Monetary Fund, presented a seminar on 13 August 2013,
presented a seminar on 6 June 2013, speaking on ‘The role of the International Monetary
speaking on ‘The world economic outlook: Fund in the global economy’. At the IMF, he co-heads the
relevance to Fiji’. Mr Smirk, who has 17 years’ Financial Sector Group of the Asia–Pacific department
experience in Australia’s financial markets, and manages an interdepartmental project on the Future
focused on the global economic outlook, of Asia’s Finance. The presentation focused on IMF’s
including the Australian, New Zealand and evolving role in the world economy, from its foundation
South Pacific economies . in the wake of World War II to the ongoing recovery from
the great financial crisis and recent global economic
developments.

10 FBE NEWSLETTER
 www.fbe.usp.ac.fj
What are all those statistics for?
USP/UNFPA/ESCAP workshop, 5–9 August 2013, suggests answers
An important training workshop on ‘Using Population and Census Data for Sub-
national Planning: Thematic Analysis on Youth’ attracted back-room statisticians
out of their national stats offices and onto Laucala Campus from 5 to 9 August, to
sharpen their understanding of why they crunch numbers and how they can put
the results of their labours to better use.
This was the third in a series of workshops jointly organised by the United Nations
Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), its subsidiary
body the Statistical Institute for Asia and the Pacific (SIAP), the United Nations
Population Fund (UNFPA) Pacific Sub-Regional Office and the School of Economics
(SOE), FBE.
In his welcoming remarks, SOE Head, Professor Saqib Jafarey, expressed USP’s
pleasure in hosting the workshop in partnership with UNFPA and ESCAP, noting
that ‘USP has developed a long-standing partnership with UNFPA and SIAP to
engage in a number of projects to improve capacity in the area of official statistics
in the region’. SOE is working with UNFPA to redesign the school’s Official Statistics
programme so that it better meets the statistical needs of the region and provides
International Youth Day 2013: marked by public seminar and panel discussion
‘The role of tertiary institutions in addressing youth employment through
entrepreneurship education: what are the opportunities, challenges?’
T
o observe International Youth Day 2013 on Monday, 12 August, the School
of Economics (SOE) hosted a topical public seminar and discussion, joining
other agencies – the International Labour Organisation (ILO), Pacific Islands
Private Sector Organisation (PIPSO) and the Pacific Youth Council – in making the
day a memorable one.
Representatives from USP and the agencies made presentations on how they
believe tertiary institutions can address the critical issue of youth employment
through educating youth in entrepreneurship.
Panelists ranged widely over some particularities. ILO Specialist for decent
work strategies, Mr Satoshi Sasaki, highlighted that providing opportunities for
engaging in self-employment and becoming entrepreneurs is a viable option for
youths, who are in their
prime age to contribute
new, creative and
appealing ideas, products
and services. SOE Head,
Professor Saqib Jafarey,
referred to the Asian
case scenario, where the
demand to be employed is
so high, but the prospects
of securing a stable job
are very slim; this explains
the steady rise in the From left: PIPSO CEO Meraia Volavola, USPSA Secretary-General Akmal Ali, Head of SOE ,
number of youths seeking Professor Saqib Jafarey, SPC Youth Advisor Meraia Carling, RCCCE Manager Hasmukh Lal,
ILO specialist Satoshi Sasaki, Professor Biman Prasad USP, Edward Bernard ILO
to enhance employment
at the panel discussion hosted by USP on International Youth Day.
training opportunities that are more flexible in both structure and modes
of delivery.
Organiser and coordinator of the workshop was ESCAP statistician Jillian
Campbell. The several resource persons who contributed to the training
across a range of disciplines included Dr Alessio Cangiano (USP), Dr Priya
Chattier (USP), Bjorn Gelders (UNICEF), Tite Habiyakare (ILO), Prof. Saqib
Jafarey (USP), Scott Pontiflex (SPC) and David Smith (ESCAP). Thematic
sessions addressed the use of statistical data for national and local
planning in the areas of employment, education, migration, child labour,
disability, gender and reproductive health.
Attending participants work in National Statistical Offices and
governmental agencies in Fiji, the Federated States of Micronesia, Tonga,
Samoa, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. In sharing their experiences of
working with data in policy and planning in their respective national
contexts they all contributed to the mutual learning environment. Their
highly positive feedback during the workshop and as part of their final
evaluation attested to the worth of the event.
opportunities through job creation by engaging in self-employment. Mr
Hasmukh Lal, Manager for the Regional Centre for Continuing and Community
Education (RCCCE), outlined the Centre’s provision to individuals of professional
training and qualifications, equipping them with entrepreneurial skills. USP
Student Association Secretary-General, Mr Akmal Ali, spoke from a student’s
perspective (not to be confused with a worm’s eye view) on identifying
challenges for young graduates, as they enter the workforce. PIPSO Chief
Executive Officer, Ms Meraia Volavola, gave examples of how unemployed
youths, with and without tertiary education, have successfully joined the
workforce by collaborating with PIPSO and starting up their own businesses.
Youth Advisor at the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), Ms Meraia
Carling, highlighted initiatives that would help youths to discover and hone
their entrepreneurial abilities.
Dr Biman Prasad wrapped up the
discussion. Undoubtedly, he said,
tertiary institutions have a highly
significant role to play in helping
young people to secure employment
in an environment where good work
with good rewards is difficult to attain.
A collective effort by all institutions
would reap better rewards, as
members of the community, as well as
government, inter-governmental and
nongovernmental bodies bear an equal
share in the responsibility for ensuring
stable employment.
FBE NEWSLETTER 11
 www.fbe.usp.ac.fj

SAFT postgraduate research wins Best Paper Award in

international conference
PhD student, Sanjay Anand,
and his supervisor, Dr Danilo
Guinto, Senior Lecturer at USP
School of Agriculture and Food
Technology (SOAFT) bagged
the Best Paper Award in a
conference held at Subic in the
Philippines from 29 to 31 May
2013.
The study entitled ‘Comparison Sanjay Anand defending his paper in front of the judges. Dr Danilo Guinto receiving the award.
of Selected Biochemical Soil
Health Indicators of Taro (Colocasia esculenta) Soils in Samoa’ won on the Mr Anand expressed delight that his debut experience of presenting a paper
basis of its promising results, scientific approach and its potentially significant in a professional conference brought not just the thrill of a win but confidence
economic impact in the agriculture industry. that his PhD research is heading along the right track. ‘This is a great milestone,
by far, and I hope the research will continue with minimal disruptions, unlike
This particular postgraduate research is funded by the Australian Centre for
what was experienced in the last Cyclone Evan.’ He was also appreciative of
International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) as part of its Soil Health Project
the exposure and encouragement provided by his ACIAR and USP families
implemented in three different countries in the South Pacific – Fiji, Kiribati and
and hoped that other postgraduate researchers will be afforded the same
Samoa. The conference theme, ‘Soils for Survival’, was most apt for the long-
opportunity for their career growth.
term objectives of this project.
The USP Alafua family takes great pride in this achievement. Mr Mohammed
The conference, now in its sixteenth year, is organised by the Philippine
Umar, Acting Head of SAFT, sees this as a growth point in the school’s research
Society of Soil Science and Technology and gathers soil scientists from the
profile and hopes that funding support for academic agricultural research and
whole Philippine archipelago and other countries including Australia, Japan
extension at SAFT will be strengthened.
and Korea.

Scratching beneath the soil’s surface

SAFT and MAF Samoa join hands to dig up the dirt
A project now under way in Samoa hopes to get to the root of problems in Consultant) and Ms Ataotaulelei Sae (MAF staff) are spearheading the project on
the Samoa taro industry. The USP SAFT and ACIAR Soil Health Project for behalf of MAF.
Taro Improvement in Samoa combines the expertise of Samoa’s Ministry
The project, which will assess fertility and biological health aspects of taro soils,
of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF) and USP’s School of Agriculture and Food
hopes to contribute to the reduction in biosecurity issues besetting the taro export
Technology (SAFT) to expose some rather pesky secrets. Personnel from MAF
industry in Samoa: parasitic nematodes, fungi and mites are among the undesirable
are sampling soils from taro farms in both Upolu and Savaii and submitting the
tenants causing soil-based headaches for growers, buyers and consumers.
samples to the USP Central Laboratory for assessment of biological soil health
indicators. The research outcome of this project will, it is believed, contribute positively to the
Samoan government’s thrust to sustain and improve the growth of the country’s
Dr Danilo Guinto (Senior Lecturer in Soil Science) and Mr Daya Perera (Senior
taro industry.
Technician) are the project staff from USP while Dr Seuseu Tauati (MAF

Staff members involved in the USP SAFT and ACIAR Soil Health Project for Taro Improvement.

12 FBE NEWSLETTER
 www.fbe.usp.ac.fj
SAFT’s presence felt in the Agricultural Show in Savaii
Students of Savaii and a number of spectators could hardly fail to be aware of the
presence of SAFT during the opening of the two-day Agricultural Show hosted by
the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF), 25–26 July 2013. Saleloga, host
town of Savaii’s central market, bustled with people from all walks to witness the
event.
For SAFT staff this was a good opportunity to promote the Agriculture Scholarship
programme that is offered collaboratively by the Government of Samoa and USP.
Twenty government scholarships are offered each year to Samoan students willing
to take up an Agriculture degree programme. Moreover, the posters displayed
Staff members of USP promoting the Agriculture degree programme in Savaii
USP Students’ Association holds its 9th Federal Council in Alafua
H
eads and representatives of USP student associations from the 12
member countries gathered at USP Alafua Campus in Samoa to discuss
concerns regarding the welfare of their 20,000 student members. This
coincided with the 9th Federal Council Meeting of students’ associations, 9–13
September 2013.
Alafua Campus USPSA President, Koini Levy, and the Campus Management
headed by Leatuaolevao Ruby Vaa provided a warmly welcoming environment
to the delegates, including a sumptuous dinner and culture-filled performances
during the first evening’s programme.
Honourable Tuisugaletauá Ali’imalemanu Sofara Aveau, Minister of
Communications and Information Technology, himself a USP alumnus,
addressed the federal council, emphasising the importance of ICT in today’s
world. He encouraged the council to bring about innovation in job creation
through stronger linkage with former students. He underlined the opportunities
for student leaders to partake in democratic processes to bring about more
stable political systems and ultimately peace and prosperity among the PICs.
‘All these affirm your theme for this council meeting – Leading with Purpose.‘
Hon. Minister Aveau delivering his keynote
address to the delegates.
gave prominence to the importance of Agriculture, particularly the local food
production, to the Samoan economy. Some of the students think of Agriculture
as a ‘dirty’ career, which prompted SAFT to make this the focal point in its
display board, which was exhibited again during the Open Day in August 2013.
The Savaii Agricultural Show was a prelude to a bigger National Agricultural
Show to be held in Apia sometime in October 2013. SAFT will, once again,
embark on a bigger promotional strategy during this event, seeking to attract
both young and mature Samoan students to take up foundation and basic
degrees in Agriculture at USP.
The USPSA Federal Council Chairperson, Mr Peter Ifuna’oa, thanked the
Minister for giving them hope to become better leaders of the region.
Appropriately, most of the week provided opportunities for the delegates
to enhance their leadership and management skills in running their
organisations. Workshops on financial ethics and budget preparation were
facilitated by co-opted member Mr Tevita Tuiloa, and governance by Senior
Fellow Dr Drew Allbritten. Dr Bibhya Sharma presented the merits of the
M-Learning approach.
Island country representative reported on their activities: the most common
among the issues raised is the need for a better internet service. As of this
writing, most of the regional campuses already have an improved KU Band
facility, which the students appreciate greatly. The Student Forum chaired
by Ms Renuka Singh provided an avenue for students to raise other major
issues bothering the student sector and learn what management is doing to
address them.
The launching of three study fale within Alafua Campus to provide conducive-
to-study spaces for its students brought event to a close.
Blessing of the student fale with USPSA Samoa
FBE NEWSLETTER 13
 www.fbe.usp.ac.fj

SAFT Acting Head promoted a better career for Samoans

Open Day, open doors, open pathways

M
r Mohammed Umar, Acting Head of SAFT. urged most college students
to consider taking up an Agriculture degree. He canvassed this
possibility during the opening programme of USP Alafua’s Open Day
held 9 August 2013.
Mr Umar enumerated some of the improvements happening on campus –
highlighting the government scholarships available, the significant increase in
student numbers, four new teaching staff with PhDs, new 20-week practical
training, the possibility of some student training in Israel and better IRETA-USP
farm practical experience, among other developments.
Mr Umar impressed on the students their huge role in shaping Samoa’s future.
‘The future of our nation and leadership lies with you’, he averred. He offered
Mr Umar giving an overview of SAFT
USP’s assistance in educating and developing their skills for a better future. He
offered a serious warning of the issues besetting Samoa’s economy because of
significant increases in food and live animal imports.
Mr Umar emphasised that most of these imports can be grown locally and if we
only seize the opportunity to improve our farming systems, this will equate to
huge savings by the government: ‘This is where we need students like you.’ This
was affirmed by the Prime Minister himself, Hon. Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele
Malilegaoi, who claimed that the country needs more agriculturists and urged
students to do Agriculture. Samoa has land sufficient pretty much to secure its
own food needs. ‘If you want to be healthy, earn good income, have lots of free Students and guests listening intently
time and be your own boss, then study Agriculture’ says the Prime Minister.

Soil Science practical classes created a positive learning impact

S
tudents from the Laucala, Labasa and Tonga campuses of USP who are SAFT encourages all USP
doing the Soil Science core course through the Distance and Flexible member countries either to
Learning (DFL) mode expressed deep appreciation for the hands-on send potential students to
practical laboratory training to supplement their satellite and course book Alafua Campus for a face-
learning provided by the Course Coordinator, Dr Danilo Guinto. Experienced to-face mode Agriculture
Senior Laboratory Technician of USP Alafua, Mr Hewage Perera, conducted the degree, taking advantage
practical classes. of better learning facilities USPSA delegates from all member countries
in the school, or to increase and guests after the Opening Ceremony.
A total of 26 students from Laucala, and 4 each from Labasa and Tonga
their Agriculture DFL student
campuses benefited from the practical laboratory classes held 9–13 September,
numbers to enable more resource-efficient conduct of hands-on laboratory
16–19 September and 23–27 September respectively.
classes in their respective campuses.

STHM Crew judge Tanoa Hospitality games

O
n 7 September, David Harrison, Dawn Gibson, Marika Kuilamu and
Patricia Bibi, of STHM, went to Nadi to act as judges in the annual Tanoa
Hospitality Games. During the day, teams from the group’s Fiji hotels
competed in a variety of areas, including how to deal with difficult customers
(i.e. the STHM crew), bed-making, room arranging, napkin folding, blindfold
wine tasting, cocktail mixing and theme-based booths representing the
different properties.
The games gave STHM staff an insight into good HR practices in the Tanoa
group, showing how the company encourages its employees to play as well
as work together, and it was refreshing to see Mr Y.P. Reddy, the group’s
owner, and Ms Kalpana Reddy, mixing with his staff throughout the day and
joining in the fun. It was also a day in which STHM staff could get to know all
those in the Tanoa group better. All in all, it was a day well spent.

Professor David Harrison (2nd from left) at the STHM crew’s judging of the Tanoa Opening Ceremony of the School of Tourism and Hospitality Management Tanoa
Hospitality Games. Hospitality Games

14 FBE NEWSLETTER
 www.fbe.usp.ac.fj

School of Tourism and Hospitality Management: joint workshop

with the South Pacific Tourism Organisation: 9–14 September

C
ollaboration between the School of Tourism and Hospitality Management and Policy Development, and Innovation in Tourism. Over the five days, the
(STHM) and the South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) came to fruition role of tourism in specific Pacific Islands countries and general challenges
in a substantial Regional Tourism Executive Training Programme. Twelve and problems in the region’s tourism were discussed in detail. The range of
regional participants joined forces at a workshop at the Novotel, Nadi, 9–14 speakers from overseas and Fiji giving presentations included Prof. David
September 2013. Harrison, Ms Dawn Gibson and Dr I-Ling Kuo of STHM and Mr Ken Chambers,
Delegates were representative of a large swathe of Oceania: the Cook Islands, from the School of Land Management.
Niue, Samoa, Tonga, Nauru, Federated States of Micronesia, Vanuatu, Fiji, All the participants considered the workshop highly productive though
Papua New Guinea, Kiribati, Timor Leste, Tuvalu and Solomon Islands. intense. As an intensity relief, Saturday 14 was devoted to a day-cruise for
Funded under the EU’s everyone, run by Max Storck, an established cruise operator in
Pacific Regional Tourism Nadi, who talked about the history of his operation. Thus the
Capacity Building Programme finale to the week was both highly informative and enjoyable.
(PRTCBP) and targeting middle This workshop was a recognition of the bonds that have long
management in tourism and linked personnel from both organisations, illustrated by the
the private sector, sessions fact that recently the Vice-Chancellor signed a Memorandum
focused on Global Tourism and of Understanding formalising the connection between
Tourism in the South Pacific, STHM and SPTO. The interests and roles of STHM and SPTO
Tourism Destination Marketing are complementary and it is expected that the relationship
and Promotion, Tourism Product between them will flourish, with further collaboration in
Development and Management, Participants at the Pacific Regional Tourism Capacity Building workshops and other forms of training to facilitate more
International Tourism Planning Programme (PRTCP).
sustainable tourism development in the region.

Bilibili Races 2013

T
wenty-eight years ago Bob Kennedy – no, not JF’s brother! – created the
hotel industry’s annual Bilibili Race in Sigatoka. The colourful event is
now organised by local Coral Coast hotel staff as a social sports day where
tourism workers can have fun in company teams competing on the river and
embankment. The thirteen participating teams on October 10th 2013 were
from the major hotel/resort properties and tourism operators on Viti Levu.
STHM students in good spirits at the bilibili race. STHM students participating at the bilibili race .
Team USP was made up of first, second and third year regional students from
Fiji and Solomon Islands. The first event of the bilibili races is the 21 kilometre students association and staff in securing funds for the 2013 event. Forty-six
11 member per team relay race from the Hideaway Resort to Sigatoka town. students undeterred by the early start made the trip, with two Hospitality
The 2013 USP 21K Relay Team came in sixth. lecturers.
The rest of the day is given over to very competitive land events and kayak The annual Sigatoka trip is not just a good-fun day: it promotes team building
races and culminates with the signature bilibili races. and individual responsibility to training that is balanced with students’ studies.
Team USP 2013 creditable placings were as follows: Men’s double kayak sprint, It builds confidence and individual skills in a team environment and fosters an
3rd; Waitress race, 2nd; Waiter race, 3rd. ongoing professional networking relationship between the university and the
industry.
The team acknowledges the sponsorship from the School of Tourism and
Hospitality Management and recognises the input from TAHSA, the school’s

Diwali Celebration

T
o celebrate the 2013 Diwali festival, the School of Economics
organised a Diwali tea on November 4th for all SOE staff; other
faculty members were also invited to share the celebration.
Markand Bhatt delivered a short prayer with a Diwali message to all
staff and Diwali tea and snacks followed.

School of Economics and other FBE staff members at the school’s pre-diwali
celebration organised in the FBE Courtyard

FBE NEWSLETTER 15
 www.fbe.usp.ac.fj
Diplomacy and International Affairs Workshop
The USP’s third annual workshop took place at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Committee Room on 30 September to 1 October, 2013.
T
he Diplomacy and International Negotiations Workshop constitutes
a crucial component of the programme for postgraduate students
in Diplomacy and International Affairs in the School of Government,
Development and International Affairs in the Faculty of Business and Economics.
This year’s workshop also included postgraduate students from the Pacific
Centre for Environment and Sustainable Development (PACE-SD).
Looking towards developing the writing, briefing and negotiation skills required
for multilateral diplomacy, the workshop simulates a real world negotiation of
the ‘Wellington Treaty on Climate Change’.
Special Lecture on European Union–Pacific Partnership
O
n 22 October 2013, the School of Government, Development and
International Affairs hosted a special lecture on European Union–Pacific
Partnership: Present Status and Future Prospects, delivered by Dr Gerhard
Sabathil.
Dr Sabathil is Director for North-East Asia and the Pacific in the European
External Service. Formerly Director for Foreign Policy Strategy and Coordination
of the Directorate General for External Relations of the European Commission,
he is also a Visiting Professor at the University of Prague and at the College of
Europe. His publications focus on European foreign policy.
Dr Sabathil was visiting Fiji to discuss future political and economic relations
with the Fiji Government. In his lecture he focused on the important shared
interests of the Pacific Islands countries and the European Union on the
16 FBE NEWSLETTER
The participants were very fortunate to have as their workshop facilitator an
experienced international negotiations trainer, Ambassador Peter Rodgers,
who regularly runs such courses for Caribbean, African, South Asian and
Australian early-career diplomats. A Senior Fellow in the Asia-Pacific College
of Diplomacy at the Australian National University, he is also an Adjunct
Senior Fellow in the Diplomacy programme at USP.
The academic coordinator of the Diplomacy and International Affairs
programme, Associate Professor Greg Fry, commented that the practical
skills workshop complements the more academic and theoretical parts of the
students’ programme as well as creating a strong bond among participants
that carries over into the class room.
questions of climate change and sustainable development. He said that
the EU was hopeful of working closely with the Pacific Islands states on the
approach to a post-2015 global agreement on climate change.
On the controversial question of the state of play on the Pacific negotiations
on Economic Partnership Arrangements with EU following the suspension of
talks after Papua New Guinea’s withdrawal he said that he looked forward to
talks with the Papua New Guinea Government in the following week.
He encouraged USP students to take advantage of the Erasmus Mundus
scholarships available for master degree study in Europe.
Dr Sabathil said the EU looked forward to full economic and political relations
with the Fiji Government after democratic elections in 2014.
 www.fbe.usp.ac.fj
GLO-BUS – What’s that?
GSB students make a game of winning
competitive strategies
I
n Semester 3, USP and the Graduate School of Business participated with 92
MBA students in 23 teams at Suva campus and Samoa campus in the GLO-
BUS online game, as part of the MBA strategy course. We are very proud that
many of our teams achieved high world-ranking positions, I.e. during the game
the teams were at least in 32nd position in Top 100 rankings and some teams
even achieved no. 1 and 2 world rankings, in competition with well-known
business schools worldwide.
In GLO-BUS, 1 to 5 class members are assigned to run a digital camera company
that produces and markets entry-level and upscale, multi-featured cameras
in head-to-head competition against companies run by other members of the
class. Although presented in the guise of a game, GLO-BUS becomes a powerful
teaching–learning tool, ‘hooking’ players with the competition rush but almost
inadvertently slipping in the heavy dose of learning.
Online advertisers of the game point out that ‘[t]he competitive nature of a
strategy simulation arouses positive energy and steps up the whole tempo
of the course by a notch or two. The healthy rivalry that emerges among the
management teams of competing companies . . . spurs class members to fully
exercise their strategic wits, analytical skills, and decision-making prowess—
much more so than occurs with many other types of assignments.’
GSB Alumni Cocktail and Launch of Alumni
Newsletter
T
he Graduate School of Business
organised its first ever Alumni
networking cocktail party on
Friday, 30 August from 7.00 pm at
the GSB Conference room, Statham
Campus (ICT Park, Suva). The
Mr Isikeli Tikoduadua uses the Alumni
occasion provided GSB alumni with Cocktail Party for the official launching of
a great opportunity to meet their the GSB Alumni Newsletter.
classmates and to network with them in a social environment, as well as the GSB
faculty and new students joining the programme in the year 2013.
The evening’s programme was officially opened by the MBA Programme Advisory
Board Chair, Mr Isikeli Tikoduadua, an alumnus who is the CEO of Home Finance
Company Limited. The School took advantage of this opportunity to launch
its maiden Alumni Newsletter, announcing that it would produce subsequent
issues 6-monthly.
The evening was judged successful; some 120 Alumni members graced the
evening with their presence, exchanging their business cards with hugs and
kisses to rejoice in their reunion. The floor was pleasantly occupied by small
groups of students recalling their days at the Graduate School of Business.
Delicious finger food and drinks were continuously served to all the guests; who
could doubt everyone enjoyed the function?
‘Meet the Leaders’ Forum,
Trimester 2, 2013
As has become the GSB tradition, another successful leaders’ forum was
organised in the second trimester, on 27 June 2012, at the MBA Conference
Room, Statham Campus.
The speaker was Mr Ram Bajekal, Group Chief Executive Officer FMF Foods Group
of Companies, Suva. Ram Bajekal is a Chartered Accountant from India and a
Fulbright Fellow in Management Studies from the Tepper School of Business,
Carnegie Mellon University, USA. He has spent most of his working life in India
with diverse organisations such as PricewaterhouseCoopers, Hindustan Photo
Films, Unilever Group and the Murugappa Group.
This is his second stint in Fiji; earlier, between 2004 and 2006, he worked here
with the Carpenters Group, during which time he also visited PNG extensively.
After 25 years of what he refers to as the corporate sector ‘rat race’, Ram took
a three-year sabbatical to work with an NGO in rural India, imparting business
skills to low-income communities engaged in micro-enterprise.
He returned to Fiji in 2009 to take up an assignment with the FMF Group. His
fondness for Fiji and the work–life balance it provides, he says, is what tempted
him back to the corporate world. Ram is very fond of sports and spends his
afternoons playing one of many games he loves: golf, cricket, hockey or most
recently, badminton.
For the Meet the Leaders forum, Ram chose to speak on the topic ’Exports – a
key to sustainability at FMF’.
The smallness of a market and its geographic remoteness, he said, pose
significant challenges to a manufacturing entity not only in growth, but also
in optimising production, productivity and profitability. Through this lens,
he examined his company’s specific case: What are some of the challenges
FMF Foods Limited faces in this regard and what are they doing to overcome
these? How are they meeting customer expectations and what are the internal
processes they deploy?
Trimester 3 Orientation – Statham Campus
A
successful 5-day MBA orientation programme was conducted for the Trimester
3 batch of new students at the Statham Campus. These new students are all
enrolled in the Postgraduate Certificate in HRM and will be able to graduate in
April 2013, after the successful completion of all 3 units offered.
Participants in the orientation were awarded certificates by the Chair of the MBA
Advisory Committee, Mr Isikeli Tikoduadua, on completion of this part of the
programme. The week-long direction-setting concluded with a very successful GSB’s
first-ever Alumni Cocktail on 30 August 2013.
Staff of GSB
FBE NEWSLETTER 17
 www.fbe.usp.ac.fj

School of Accounting and Finance AFSA social night a success

Seminar workshops for Young
T
he Accounting and Finance Students Association (AFSA) in partnership
with the School of Accounting and Finance hosted a social night on
Researchers Saturday, 26 October 2013.

T
he School of Accounting and Finance has held monthly school seminars This event proved to be a grand success, with a high turnout of staff and
throughout the semester with an aim of building up staff research skills and students. The Head of School, Prof. Arvind Patel, set the tone with his
output. welcoming speech.

Apart from the school’s seminars, a number of workshops have been conducted The social served as an excellent opportunity for students and academic
for emerging scholars. First, Professor Arvind Patel conducted an SPSS workshop staff of the school to mingle and enjoy an appetising meal with drinks and
to assist current master’s and postgraduate students with their research. This was entertainment.
then followed by a survey skills workshop conducted by Mr Glen Finau and Mr Jale
Samuwai. The survey skills workshop was conducted to teach staff how to use the
popular online survey tool SurveyMonkey in collecting information for research.
Finally, a ‘Shut Up and Write’ workshop ws conducted and this was facilitated
by Mr Nacanieli Rika. The workshop was well received by the school, with young
academics finding it fruitful and a fun way of writing up current research work.
The school continues to work on ways we can improve our research profile and
build on our current staff’s capabilities and portfolio. Mr Glen Finau and members of the Accounting and Finance
Students Association (AFSA) enjoy the atmosphere of social
interaction beyond the classroom.

A busy half-year for PICPA

I
n line with the reason for its establishment, the Pacific Islands Centre for
Public Administration (PICPA) has, during the past six months, pursued a full
and ambitious programme covering an extensive region and a wide range of
needs.
It has been engaged in: consolidation of its relationship with regional PIC
(Pacific Island Countries) stakeholders; provision of advisory services, capacity
development and training support for PIC civil services, directed toward
strengthening public servants’ skills in public administration, HR,
organisational management and public financial management so they
can better serve their governments’ needs; assistance to selected PIC to
strengthen national systems for the collection of information on size,
characteristics and cost of their public sector workforces; and assistance
to selected PIC to strengthen their capabilities for public sector workforce
planning, management and development systems.

Major PICPA activities undertaken to respond to the identified needs

and plans of PIC, July–December 2013
Region or more than one country
Fiji, Nauru, Niue and Samoa Public policy workshops
Regional, for officers from Cook Islands, Fiji and Samoa Monitoring and evaluation workshops, in conjunction with
public services and the Secretariat for the Pacific Community CLEAR (Regional Centers for Learning on Evaluation and Results)
Regional Job description preparation
Samoa, for the Region Pacific Public Service Commissioners Conference, hosted by the Public Service of Samoa, which provided management and secretariat services

Individual countries
Cook Islands Workshop on assessment, for Graduate Certificate in Public Sector Management applicants
Training, for Senior Secretaries and Executive Assistants in the Fiji Public Service
Fiji
International Public Sector Auditing Standards training
Fiji
Workshop on Communication Strategies, for Office Managers and Executive Assistants
Kiribati
Mounting of the Graduate Certificate in Public Sector Management, for senior officers of the Kiribati Public Service
Kiribati
Niue International Public Sector Accounting Standards training

Republic of Marshall Islands Advisory mission on Workforce Planning, in conjunction with the Australian Public Service
Samoa Monitoring and evaluation workshop
Samoa Professionalism and Ethics workshop

18 FBE NEWSLETTER
 www.fbe.usp.ac.fj

USP hosts 4th ODN Biennial Conference

Participants of the 4th ODN Biennial Conference

T
he Oceania Development Network (ODN), one of 11 regional networks
affiliated with the Global Development Network, held its 4th biennial
conference at the University of the South Pacific’s Laucala Campus on 11
and 12 September 2013. GDN collaboration with the regional network partners
supports researchers in developing and transition countries to generate and
share high quality applied social science research to inform policymaking and
advance social and economic development.
ODN’s primary objective is to build research capacity in Oceania and provide
a platform for researchers in the region to interact, and share knowledge and
skills to foster team research and build regional research databases. Effectively
disseminated, such research results will contribute to improved regional and
national policies, and more effective governance and service delivery.
SOE’s Professor Biman Prasad emphasised ODN’s concentration on aspiring
and young researchers from the Oceania region who work not only for research
institutes but also for government and non-governmental organisations. ODN
support has been directed through workshops on research proposal writing and
research methodologies and most importantly, linking research to policy and
focusing on policy-relevant research.
The conference saw slightly more than 50 papers presented in two days.
Presenters included USP’s Pro-Vice Chancellor (Research and International),
Professor John Bythell (an opening session panelist) and the first plenary
speaker, Mr Derek Brien, Head of the Pacific Institute of Public Policy,
who spoke on the ‘Post-2015 development agenda for the Pacific and its
implications for public policy’. Other eminent plenary speakers were Professor
Hurriyet Babacan (Professor of Development at the University of New England
and former Director of the Cairns Institute at the James Cook University),
Professor Paresh Narayan (Alfred Deakin Professor of Finance at the Deakin
University) and Professor Vijay Naidu (Professor of Development Studies and
Head of the School of Governance, Development and International Affairs at
USP).
ODN, presently based in Fiji, was formed in 2003. Its expanded membership
now includes, among other learning institutions, USP, Fiji National University
(FNU), Auckland University, the Australian National University (ANU) and
more recently, the Solomon Islands National University (SINU). The executive
committee has been meeting to discuss its next Strategic Plan for 2015–2017
in light of post-2015 development priorities for the Pacific.

Professor Vijay Naidu, University of the South Pacific (Regional representative at the GDN Board)
Seated Guests from Left to Right: Mr. Pierre Jacquet (President of the Global Development
Network (GDN)), His Excellency, Mr Glenn Miles (Acting Australian High Commissioner to Fiji),
Professor John Bythell Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and International) University of the South
Pacific, Professor Biman C. Prasad (Chairman of the Oceania Development Network (ODN))
Presenting his Welcome remarks at the Opening of the 4th ODN Biennial
Conference, Sep 11 2013, from Mr. Pierre Jacquet (President of the Global
Development Network (GDN))

FBE NEWSLETTER 19
 www.fbe.usp.ac.fj
Fond Farewell - FBE bids Adieu to Heads of Schools & Staff Members
Professor David Harrison
Professor David Harrison returned to USP in 2007 and under his stewardship the School of Tourism and Hospitality Management has attained
a number of milestones, which include: The International Centre of Excellence in Tourism Education (THE ICE) Accreditation, and introduction
of the B.Com in Hotel Management MOU with SPTO & Ministry of Tourism & Public Enterprise which includes a one year hotel internship. With
Prof David Harrison his assistance STHM has also developed closer ties with the tourism industry throughout the region and with active industry participation
on the Tourism Programme Advisory Committee (TPAC). His focus on staff development has meant that during this term two staff have
completed their masters, another PhD with a further two winning AusAid scholarships to begin their Masters and PhD in Australia next year. His interest in research
has meant that he and STHM staff have produced a number of publications in the last few years and are actively pursuing current research projects. He has also been
an active member of Rotary and President of Skål International in Suva and made a valuable contribution to tourism and hospitality education in the South Pacific.
We wish him all the best and we hope that he will continue to be associated with the School of Tourism and Hospitality Management in some capacity in the future!

Professor Saqib Jafarey

Professor Jafarey will depart Fiji in mid-January. Professor Saqib Jafarey has been a source of strength for the School of Economics in the last
18 months. He provided a strong and collective leadership in this short period of time. Under Professor Jafarey’s leadership the School was
able to complete a major restructure of the Official Statistics programme in consultation with all the key stakeholders in the region including
international organisations and partners such as SIAP and the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Professor Jafarey, is an active member of the
Pacific Statistics Steering Committee (PSSC) which monitors the implementation of the Ten Year Pacific Statistics Strategy and is responsible
Prof Saqib Jafarey for capacity building at the national and regional levels in the area of statistics and in expanding statistics across all sectors.
Additionally, Professor Jafarey was able to steer the establishment of the long planned Centre for Economic Policy and Modelling which will now be located in the
School. He will continue to be associated with the School as an Adjunct Professor and we thank him sincerely for his contribution to the school, the faculty, the
university and the region and we wish him all the best at City University, London.

Prof Dominique Fischer

“Professor Dominique Fischer is a travelling minstrel. He departed Fiji on Friday 13 December 2013, on completion of his 2 year term as Head
of the School of Land Management and Development. After some home leave in Australia, he takes up a visiting fellow appointment at the
University of Malta in 2014.
In the short time he has been with USP Professor Fischer took SLMD from the FSTE desert to the promised-land in FBE. Staffing has been
Prof Dominique Fischer stabilized and in his 1st year as Head of School a team of land management students won the FBE Debating contest. Under the STAR
Initiative Professor Fischer reviewed a fragmented undergraduate structure comprising Geomatics, Planning and Real Estate components,
consolidating it into a coherent land management program with double major and interdisciplinary linkages meeting accreditation requirements for the Australian
Property Institute. Formal API accreditation of the USP land management program is expected in 2014 and it would probably not have happened without Professor
Fischer. This accreditation has great strategic value for students and for employers throughout the region: SLMD enrolments are expected to grow as a consequence.
We thank him for all he has done in the time he has been at USP and we wish him well.

Veer Varma and Pranil Prasad - Congratulations and Best Wishes

Veer Varma & Pranil Prasad have been awarded the International Macquarie University Research Scholarship
(IMQRES). “The IMQRES is awarded by the University of Macquarie for highly rated scholarship applicants”.
We thank them for all their contribution to SOAF and to the Faculty.
We wish them all the best in their PhD studies and hope that they will return to USP!
Veer Varma Pranil Prasad

The Faculty of Business & Economics also farewells the following staff members who will be leaving the Faculty and the University at the end of 2013. Thank you very
much for all your hard and dedicated work and service during your time at FBE. We wish you a successful future. Farewell.

Staff Name School/ Department Position

Reshika Chandra FBE General Office Finance Assistant

Mr Peter Mario Graduate School of Business Lecturer
Ms Naolah Pitia School of Management & Public Administration Assistant Lecturer
Prof Luh-Zer Kan School of Economics Visiting Professor
Ms Lillian Fuata School of Tourism & Hospitality Management Administrative Assistant

20 FBE NEWSLETTER