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Semi Koroilavesau, Fiji's Minister for Fisheries, he acknowledged the longstanding relationship between JICA and USP-SMS through dispatching Japanese experts and senior volunteers, and grassroots technical cooperation on Gau Island by Mie University. Derrick Armstrong, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of USP, he expressed his appreciation towards a longstanding support from Japan, including establishment of SMS building and human resource development by exchange program like Pacific-LEADS, JENESYS Program, etc. Presentations and roundtable discussions by Professors from Japanese universities and USP were delivered in the theme of "Further enhancement of a partnership and network between the USP-SMS and universities & research institutions in Japan in marine sciences and fisheries, and its future prospect – international cooperation and partnership in the Pacific and human resource development in higher education and research". Masanami Izumi who is assigned to the USP-SMS as Marine Resources Management Adviser. The symposium was organized and facilitated by JICA Expert, Mr.
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The symposium was held to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the USP establishment as well as the 20th anniversary of the USP School of Marine Studies building establishment in 2018.
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Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) organized a two-day symposium on Future International Cooperation and Human Resource Development in Marine Science and Fisheries from 29-30 January 2018, in close cooperation with The University of the South Pacific, School of Marine Studies (USP-SMS)
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