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Major Speeches |
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September 12, 2008
The Pro-Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, members of the USP Senate, dignitaries, staff and faculty and guests.
I am greatly honored to be here amongst you. It affords me the opportunity to express my sincere appreciation to the University for the kindness you have shown me, Mrs. Tomeing and my delegation. We are most comfortable. I want to say that last month, in Nadi, on my way to the Forum in Niue, a very kind invitation for dinner was extended to me by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Rajesh Chandra. It was a wonderful evening and I am very grateful to the Vice Chancellor.
When I received from the Council of the University of the South Pacific a letter inviting me to accept the Chancellorship of this great University, I accepted it with the utmost humility on behalf of the people of the Republic of the Marshall Islands.
I am no scholar like all of you gathered here. But I do know that to be associated with the University is indeed a great honor that any Pacific leader would wish for.
I am fully aware that the duties of the Chancellor are purely onerous, requiring no particularly heavy burden, awarding degrees and certificates during graduation. Nevertheless, if and when the University needs something to be done on its behalf, I would like to think that you will not hesitate to let me know. I can assure you that I shall do my very best.
I assume this honor comforted by the examples set by those Pacific leaders who preceded me as Chancellor. I know my cousin, the late President and Chancellor, Amata Kabua, was always looking out for ways by which he could assist the University.
This is a great University. We are all very proud of you. Your contribution to the development of the region has been most significant. Unfortunately, when you are too close to the tree you cannot see the forest. I think this has been the case with the University. You have been so immersed in your calling that you may have failed to appreciate fully the result of your dedication. Those of us a little distance away command a better view. I certainly can speak with authority in this regard with respect to the work of the USP in my own country, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and from what I have learned from other leaders of the region.
The USP is probably the first of its kind in which the co-owners comprise of 12 several different countries. I am aware that the University of the West Indies is also of similar arrangement. But I am not so sure about whether it is as diverse as the USP.
My sincere hope is that USP will continue to grow and be able to compete with any university in the world in any field, and provide the region with the best of minds there is, and become the cause of good and harmony in the region.
Let me once again state how very proud we are of the USP, and that we owe a debt of gratitude to the USP Council, the leadership, staff and faculty for their dedication and wonderful service.
May you all have a successful and fruitful year ahead of you.
Thank you.
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