Duo take up USP roles

THE University of the South Pacific (USP) recently appointed Walter Fraser as the university’s inaugural Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Professor Janusz Jankowski as the deputy vice-chancellor and vice president (Research and Innovation) at its 94th council meeting on November 10 and 11 in Apia, Samoa.

In a statement, USP said Mr Fraser had expertise in strategic change leadership and operational service delivery with over 30 years of experience in the tertiary education sector in New Zealand and the Pacific – with the past 20 years at senior management and executive level.

He will join USP from the Auckland University of Technology (AUT) where he has been assistant vice-chancellor for its South Campus in Manukau.

“I acknowledge that we stand on the shoulders of great Pacific leaders who had the foresight and fortitude to set up this invaluable institution as their legacy for our region,” Mr Fraser said during his appointment.

“As a proud alumnus, I look forward to contributing to the on-going development of USP so that our future generations will also look back and remember us as responsible guardians of this legacy.”

He will take up the appointment in January 2023.

Meanwhile, Prof Jankowski has expertise in health, research, innovation, education and government policy in Asia, Europe, the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States of America.

Prior to his appointment, Prof Jankowski was the chair of board at the University College Osteopathy in London from 2019 to 2022.

“I am humbled to serve as vice president of Research and Innovation for USP,” he said.

“This nation of peoples has shown their innovative spirit in the custodianship of this most unique ocean paradise – they have also shown a unique collective effort and resolve to find solutions and create teams for the common good, including the inception of the university.”

He added his role fell into three parts – ensuring the culture enables everyone to be included, ensuring a sustainable strategy to build infrastructures and institutes for the long term and finally ensuring the policies and process allow innovation while continuing to drive quality at all levels.

“I hope to learn from you all how to serve this cause best and in a way that is consistent with the USP’s ideal – my motto will be ‘you will reap the flowers that you plant’.”

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