ADB-USP Sign Cooperation Agreement

PRESS RELEASE
ADB-USP Sign Cooperation Agreement to Strengthen Knowledge Collaboration

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and The University of the South Pacific (USP) have signed a cooperation agreement to boost knowledge collaboration between the two organisations.

ADB Vice-President for Knowledge Management and Sustainable Development Bambang Susantono and Professor Rajesh Chandra, USP Vice-Chancellor and President, participated in the signing ceremony at ADB Headquarters in Manila today.

“ADB’s extensive practical experience and knowledge from its investment operations together with the technical expertise of USP will foster more innovative and sustainable knowledge solutions. This will in turn improve timeliness and efficiency in sharing development experiences and lessons within ADB’s developing member countries in the Pacific,” said Mr. Susantono.”

The agreement identifies how ADB and USP will collaborate to share the common objective of improving the capacity of policy analysis, public sector management, and quality education in the Pacific. It will focus on capacity development in designing climate and disaster resilient infrastructure projects, while facilitating regional cooperation and integration through knowledge sharing. The agreement will also contribute to the search for practical and sustainable knowledge solutions to various development issues in the Pacific.
“The agreement represents the ongoing long-term spirit of cooperation between USP and ADB, providing enhanced cooperation and partnership through a mutually agreed upon joint work programs,” said Professor Chandra. “Our knowledge collaboration agreement will also encourage the exchange of experience and knowledge of best practices."

The agreement supports the Pacific Approach 2016-2020 which guides ADB’s work in the region, and strengthens ADB’s and USP’s shared strategic partnership priorities.

ADB and USP’s partnership began in 2009 when the Government of India provided USP with a $1million grant through ADB’s Regional Technical Assistance to improve information and communication technology based education in the Pacific region by upgrading the university's network. The partnership was strengthened in 2012 through the approval of a $19 million from ADB and a $1.5 million grant from the Clean Energy Fund under ADB’s Higher Education in the Pacific Investment Programme.

USP is a leading provider of tertiary education in the Pacific, and an international center of excellence for teaching and research on all aspects of Pacific culture and environment.

Founded in 1968, USP is one of only two regional universities in the world, and is supported by 12 Pacific island countries- Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

ADB, based in Manila, is dedicated to reducing poverty in Asia and the Pacific through inclusive economic growth, environmentally sustainable growth, and regional integration. Established in 1966, ADB is celebrating 50 years of development partnership in the region. It is owned by 67 members-48 from the region. In 2016, ADB assistance totalled $31.7 billion, including $14 billion in co-financing.

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