The University of the South Pacific’s College of Foundation Studies (CFS) offer students an easy and smooth transition from secondary school education to university life.
Not only does CFS offer a smooth transition into university life, it also offers a wide diversity of cultures that make students interact better and become more independent.
College of Foundation Studies Open Day chairperson Viliame Qiokata said there were a couple of reasons behind CFS encouraging students to attend the college even though there was some comparability between the college and secondary school education.
“The contents of the course offered here are tailored in sync with the degree level and the environment we have encourages students to better manage their time and to be independent,” Mr Qiokata said.
“There is a culture of diversity here because if you look across the 12 member countries and the 14 regional campuses we have students attending CFS.
“What set CFS apart from the secondary schools in the country are the university’s assessment methods. The assessment methods that student’s go through is the same as those of the degree level students with coursework and the final exam in place.
“The structure of the assessment items we have for students offers them an opportunity to be creative and it discourages last-minute studies.”
He said there was always transparency in the course items and the staff grounded the students ethically on it.
“We teach students at CFS about the normal referencing methods and that we are against the element of plagiarism and its good to see the students practising it,” he said.
“There is also assessment items in the course that teaches students to work as a team and that is definitely a plus for them because they are given a chance to work as a team, submit report as a team and present as a team.
“Here the availability of resources are good like our lab equipment, great availability of computers in computer labs for students to access and the internet access is something that the students enjoy every day. He said the USP library was a world of information on its own that not many schools in Fiji have.
“Also one of the best or greater advantages here is the provisions of Moodle such as Moodle access to individual students that enrol in a course. It is another avenue for them, not only do they discuss in forums, we have even uploaded activities and resources that they need.
“Our academic and support staff are great, not only do they deal with students here but they also deal with students across the region.”
He said the Open Day gave them an opportunity to showcase what they had to the public.
“It is an opportunity for us to place our students on the centre stage because our students will be conducting experiments in the booths, explaining and answering questions asked by those visiting the CFS booth during the day.
“Young people will see clearly that CFS is part of a diverse institution during the Open Day.”
He said the number of students enrolled at CFS from 2015 to 2016 had increased tremendously.
