Study Smart With FSTE

The University of the South Pacific’s (USP) Faculty of Science, Technology and Environment (FSTE) aspires to be an intellectual centre of excellence in the areas of Pacific-based research, consultancy and education provision.

The Open Day 2018 will therefore be a unique chance for prospective students to explore what FSTE has to offer.

It will help students and budding scientists realise their dreams of getting the best quality education in the field of Science, Technology, Innovation and Environment.

This faculty has so far registered eight innovative patents and launched four Applications (Apps). According to the Dean of FSTE Dr Anjeela Jokhan “FSTE is ‘walking the talk’ when it comes to innovations and research addressing the needs of the USP member countries in the Pacific region”. Dr Jokhan added that FSTE is committed to providing an internationally recognised platform in the pursuit of learning, teaching and research in the areas of science, environment and technology.

“We aspire to offer our young and mature students an environment to develop their intellect and skills, and preparing them to join the dynamic workforce and industries in Fiji, around the region and beyond,” Dr Jokhan added.

She highlighted that the research done by FSTE is highly valued and plays a significant role in the scientific and economic development of the Pacific Island nations which is sustainable.

“With a team of highly qualified academic staff, research professionals and student support staff, we facilitate active learning and teaching for our students,” Dr Jokhan said.

“The essence of our service lies in producing successful graduates and we look forward to providing you a holistic experience while studying with us.

The FSTE patents include a mobile cane for the blind & visually impaired used to navigate by the fully blind or visually impaired person; a portable wave-solar energy harvesting device, which presents the concept of designing a portable low cost wave-solar harvesting device for Island countries.

A braille slate to teach children with visual disabilities; a GSMbased early flood warning & monitoring system; and aromatic network for power distribution; a footsteps waste energy harvesting system using a hydro generator. An EMI sensor for non-destructive corrosion estimation in concrete and the My Kana app, used to measure food portions using their fist, palm and thumb.

Apps launched by the FSTE include the USP Mobile App which aims to have university information and services accessible by the users instantly and efficiently. The USP Campus Map App, that will allow new and existing students and visitors to find their way around USP.

The USP Events App for event organisers and participants; and AAGO, a web application to get USP’s Student Administrative Services (SAS) registration forms online for easy approval and to ensure appropriate channels are followed during the process.

These are some of the exciting innovations that students can directly be a part of when enrolled at the FSTE.

And for this year’s open day, students can expect so much more at the displays and demonstrations from its five Schools and two Institutes.

SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND PHYSICS

SEP will showcase the project works completed by students in their final year of the degree programme.

It includes practical demonstrations of the many diverse technologies that are all part of SEP, including renewable energy, electronics, wireless sensors, and electromechanical systems.

The displays at the Labasa campus will include Lego Robot, Hydrogen Fuel Cell, Meteorology Instruments and 3D printed objects of various mechanical components. At the Lautoka Campus – Lego Robot, PCB Milling, i-Cane, braille Slate and Hydrogen Fuel Cell and 3D printed objects of various mechanical components.

And at Laucala Campus - various renewable energy harvesting devices, PCB drilling machine, Motion Tracker, height measurement system, flood monitoring system, footstep energy waste energy harvester, wave energy harvesting system, EMI sensor to name a few. Information received at the SEP booth will prepare students to make informed decisions regarding their choice of school subjects and their future career.

SCHOOL OF GEOGRAPHY, EARTH SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENT (SGESE)

This school provides an integrated understanding of the earth, its biophysical environment, and the people who inhabit it.

This is an exciting time for those involved in these fields. The links between human activity and the natural environment are stronger than at any time in history, while the consequences of environmental change extend to the remotest corners of the earth and have an impact on all its inhabitants.

As a result, Pacific Island Countries are directly affected by problems such as climate change, rising sea levels, reef destruction, forest clearance, loss of biodiversity, pollution, poverty, unemployment, and poor nutrition.

SCHOOL OF MARINE STUDIES (SMS)

SMS is an interdisciplinary School, integrating science (Marine Science Programme) and social science (Marine Management Programme) which will have displays, activities and demonstrations for Marine Pollution, Coral Reef Ecology & Marine Planning, Marine Collection, Fishing equipment, Post-Harvest, Aquarium, Aquaculture including a Fun activities booth and an Alumni and student profiles this Open Day.

SCHOOL OF COMPUTING, INFORMATION AND MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES (SCIMS)

SCIMS will do a display of a ‘walk down memory lane’ depicting how the School has evolved in the last 50 years.

There will also be booths for alumni and students to share about their experiences with potential students and visitors on Open Day.

INSTITUTE OF APPLIED SCIENCES (IAS)

The Institute of Applied Sciences is the research and commercial arm of the FSTE and markets the scientific expertise of the University to the region through a wide range of services such as:

■ application of the sciences and technology to improve the livelihood of the people in the region

■ It operates the largest internationally accredited lab in the region for Food, Water, Environment and Biofuel testing

■ Natural products development through the Discovery of new chemicals of economic value to the Pacific by testing natural products for biological activity, then isolating and identifying the responsible compounds

■ Offering of capacity courses and training to professionals

■ Biodiversity assessments, working with communities to encourage conservation of identified rare and endangered species

The institute apart from displaying its range of services will host its Alumni, former Masters and PhD students of the institute who are experts in their respective scientific fields.

These include Chemists, Botanists, Environmentalists, Microbiologists and Fiji’s only freshwater vertebrate expert, many of whom are excelling in ground-breaking research in Fiji and internationally.

FSTE’S INTERNATIONALLY ACCREDITED PROGRAMMES

The faculty in its pursuit to offer students’ quality recognised programmes has received the following international accreditations:

PACIFIC CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (PACE-SD)

PACE-SD was opened in response to the region’s need for further research of the environment.

The goal is to empower the people of the Pacific with the knowledge to be able to adapt to the impacts of climate change and pursue sustainable development.

The centre collaborates with university stakeholders as well as national, regional and international development partners across the CSO and NGO sectors.

The centre also works with regional governments in an advisory capacity, mainstreaming climate change and sustainable development into the development process. The Pacific region and individual island nations have made a strong commitment to international efforts to prevent further irreversible environmental change and to promote sustainable development by becoming party to numerous international “Multilateral Environmental Agreements”. PACE-SD is a partner in making those commitments a reality.

USP offers a Postgraduate Diploma in Climate Change (PGD-CC) and like other Postgraduate Diploma programmes, it comprises of four courses over one year full-time or two years part-time study. PACE-SD’s Vision addresses USP’s strategic research theme on environment, sustainable development and climate change and is guided by values that promote excellence, commitment, accountability, inclusiveness and equity. Students can learn more about PACE-SD during this year’s open day.

So come on down to the USP Open Day 2018 and enquire at any of the FSTE booths about the latest programmes and qualifications offered to stimulate and develop the budding scientist, innovator and conservationist in you. Source:USP

The Open Day 2018 will therefore be a unique chance for prospective students to explore what FSTE has to offer.