Fiji: Quality science education

Oceania/Fiji/29 de Julio de 2016/Autora: Ana Madigibuli/Fuente: The Fiji Times

RESUMEN: La Universidad (USP) del Pacífico Sur de Ciencia, Tecnología y Medio Ambiente (FSTE) ha sido el proveedor de la educación de primera calidad para los estudiantes de ciencias en la región del Pacífico Sur. Los nuevos programas de FSTE atienden las necesidades de la región y tienen perspectivas de trabajo atractivas de todo el mundo, junto con la acreditación internacional como prueba de su calidad. Recientemente, cuatro programas de licenciatura a saber, la de Net Centric computación (BNC), Licenciado en Ingeniería de Software (EEB), Licenciado en Ingeniería – Mecánica (BEM) y eléctrico (BEE) han recibido la acreditación internacional. Para Open Day 2016, las pantallas serán de las diferentes escuelas. Los estudiantes pueden esperar exhibiciones en vivo, estado de los instrumentos de la técnica utilizados en experimentos científicos, competiciones de diferentes escuelas y premios instantáneos que se ganó. El personal estará a disposición para responder preguntas relacionadas con los programas que se ofrecen. Una característica interesante, sin embargo será el uso de teléfonos móviles para responder a las preguntas de retroalimentación. Además habrá demostraciones sobre el uso de la e-tutoría, una nueva herramienta para el aprendizaje a distancia, entre otros.

The University of the South Pacific’s (USP) Faculty of Science, Technology and Environment (FSTE) has been the provider of premium quality education for science students in the South Pacific region ever since the establishment of the university.

FSTE’s new programs address the needs of the region and have attractive job prospects all over the world, coupled with international accreditation as evidence of their quality.

The Faculty has five schools including the:

· School of Biological and Chemical Sciences;

· School of Engineering and Physics;

· School of Marine Sciences;

· School of Geography, Environment and Earth Sciences; and

· School of Computing, Information and Mathematical Sciences.

Undergraduate and Postgraduate Degrees in the respective disciplines are offered through the different schools.

Recently, four programs namely the Bachelor of Net Centric computing (BNC), Bachelor of Software Engineering (BSE), Bachelor of Engineering — Mechanical (BEM) and Electrical (BEE) have received international accreditation.

BSE and BNC have been accredited by the Australian Computer Society (ACS) while the BE programs by Institute of Professional Engineers (IPENZ).

In addition, the program, Bachelor of Geospatial Science has also been registered by the Fiji Higher Education Commission (FHEC) together with recognition from the Australian Body. It is anticipated the quality programs offered in FSTE will attract more students. In addition, over the last couple of years there has been a steady increase in the postgraduate enrolment.

Some of the new initiatives the faculty have taken on board is the development of on-line learning (Mobile learning), the inclusion of SMS in the learning and teaching and the on-line Mathematic Diagnostic Tool.

Recently, the School of Computing Science launched the «Microsoft Accelerator Program» where University students are trained on the different Microsoft programs. Certification from Microsoft is provided after successfully passing the test. All these services are free if one is a student of USP.

For Open Day 2016, the displays will be from the different schools. Students can expect live displays, state of the art instruments used in science experiments, competitions by different schools and instant prizes to be won.

Staff will be at hand to answer questions related to the programs offered. An interesting feature though will be the use of mobile phones to answer feedback questions. In addition there will be demonstrations on the use of e-mentoring, a new tool for distance learning, among others.

Fuente: http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=364142