New partnership set to strengthen education in the Pacific
29 August 2018
A new partnership between Monash University and The University of the South Pacific (USP) is set to strengthen teacher education in the region.
According to Professor John Loughran, Monash Faculty of Education Dean, the alliance will involve a broad range of collaborative research and academic activities as well as staff and student exchanges.
“It aligns with our social justice agenda and provides a unique opportunity for deep and long-term engagement with our Pacific Island neighbours.”
“We have a 30 year history in the Cook Islands and significant experience in the Pacific, particularly in the inclusive education space. This partnership is a natural and important extension to our work.”
Producing best possible teachers for Pacific Nations
Head of the School of Education at USP Professor Govinda Lingham said partnering with Monash was a key way his university can ensure quality standards for teacher education and research, consistent with international best practice.
“Monash University is a highly ranked university with considerable international experience and a reputation for the high quality of teacher education,” he said.
“[The partnership] is an opportunity for benchmarking our practice, providing professional development for our staff and learning more about international practices.”
He added, he hopes that Monash staff will be able to “extend their research interests into the challenges of their neighbours in the Pacific and it’s educational outcomes.”
Reciprocal visits build links
Collaborative seminars and workshops will be a feature of the partnership, including reciprocal visits.
Dr Lavinia Tiko, Dr Ledua Waqailiti and Dr Hem Chand Dayal, USP course leaders for early childhood, primary and secondary education, were some of the first visitors welcomed as part of the new alliance.
For Dr Ledua, Monash’s modern learning spaces are something she’s keen to adapt. “My heart opens up, my mind is open and it’s because of the way things are set up here. It’s not clogged. It’s not traditional.”
Dr Tiko said improving teacher education was a fundamental way to create change. “It will create a good future for our children. If we have a generation of good education, then we will have a better Pacific.”
Dr Dayal said the partnership was a blessing. “We are looking at ways to improve and strengthen initial teacher education training in the Pacific, so this partnership is very important, especially with such a leading institution like Monash.”
A unique model in the world
The University of the South Pacific is the premier institution of higher learning in the Pacific.
It was established in 1968 and is jointly owned by 12 member countries: Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and Samoa.
It is one of only two universities of its type in the world. Its main campus is based in Laucala, Fiji and the university has campuses in each of the member countries.
Support from Australian Department of Foreign Affairs
This new partnership has been brokered by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade with the aim of strengthening teacher education across the region and addressing the priorities outlined in the Pacific Regional Education Framework.
Associate Professor Graham Parr (incoming Associate Dean International, Monash Faculty of Education) and Professor Govinda Lingham (Head, School of Education, USP) will be leading the partnership.
