Course helps group learn
ANUMBER of economists were learning to use computers to calculate the success of certain business projects, according to The Fiji Times on July 4, 1975.
The newspaper report stated the group took a course at the University of the South Pacific that helped them assess the quality and economic possibility of these new projects.
Representatives of Air Pacific, Suva City Council, the Bank of New Zealand and 10 individuals from various government departments took the threeweek course.
Course directors Dr Victor Powel and Mar Paul Truda said the course included lectures, case studies and problem-solving exercises.
They found a computer program which simulated business situations that could be used to find the effect of business decisions.
Mr Truda said as far as he knew, no one was using this sort of computer program in Fiji.
The report quoted Gurmej Singh, one of the economists, as saying the computer programs were extremely useful and she expected to use them in her work at the ministry of commerce, industry and cooperatives.
Professor Frank Brosnahan, who was the acting USP vice-chancellor at the time, said those taking the course were studying development projects now under consideration in the South Pacific region. These included the pine and beef schemes.
“Clearly with the multimillion-dollar projects now either under way or contemplated, it is important that the level of skills available locally be of the highest standard,” Prof Brosnahan said.
“Courses as this one have an important role to play in the development of these skills and contribute greatly to the wellbeing of the region.”
He also hoped the course would be repeated that year with a more advanced course in the same field.
The article stated the project evaluation and management course was one of a series of short, intensive specialist courses the university had been running at its public administration centre since 1970.
Courses as this one have an important role to play in the development of these skills and contribute greatly to the wellbeing of the region Prof Frank Brosnahan