Joeli Veitayaki University of the South Pacific Suva, FIJI veitayaki_j@usp.ac.fj

1. The Small Island Developing States Universities Consortium for Capacity Development to Implement the Barbados Plan of Action Joeli Veitayaki University of the South Pacific Suva, FIJI veitayaki_j@usp.ac.fj

2. SIDSUC Background Consist of universities, research centers and collaborating institutions committed to assist SIDS through education, research and outreach Aim to promote the advantages of pooling resources to build capacity for the implementation of BPOA SIDSUC is registered as a membership organisation whose members consist of tertiary institutions within SIDS Consortium targets the enhancement of capacity of institutions in SIDS - to provide practical, high quality training, research and outreach to assist SIDS to implement the BPOA

3. SIDSUC Objectives • Improve information flow among members on course offerings, research and outreach • Encourage cooperative curriculum development, research and outreach in key areas of vulnerability to support resilience • Share research findings and reference materials to facilitate cooperation of students and faculty • Use results of SIDS-focused research and field study to assemble relevant curricular • Recommend standards and procedures for inter institutional accreditation among members

4. SIDSUC Membership • Open to all tertiary institutions with interest and expertise in capacity development for sustainable development of SIDS • Application for membership must be through formal letter from Chancellor or equivalent of the institution to the Chair of SIDSUC • Application letter must specify the names of representatives for consideration as Trustee, and Programme Committee • Application letter also should document existing curricula, ongoing research and faculty capacity in areas of BPOA

5. Responsibilities of Members • Membership implies acceptance of SIDSUC goals and objectives • Members and collaborators are expected to work together to build capacity through high quality graduate education, training, research and outreach • Members are expected to promote the academic quality set by SIDSUC • Members are to provide regular updates on activities and course offerings in sustainable development to SIDSUC secretariat

6. Responsibilities of Members • Recognition of SIDSUC approved programmes, courses • Endorsement of academic standards set by SIDSUC • Exchange of faculty, students, materials and library resources • Development of joint or group academic undertakings • Development of field demonstration projects • Development of research partnerships • Collaborators are to assist members with mutually beneficial projects, provide demonstration sites, support services and exchange technical and educational materials

7. SIDSUC Today and Tomorrow SIDSUC launched at the IM in Mauritius in 2005 MOU signed by the University of West Indies, University of Virgin Islands, University of Malta, University of Mauritius and University of the South Pacific SIDSUC has lots of potential to contribute to sustainable living in Islands SIDSUC can work if the members are committed to it Strategic planning, financial and logistical resources are required Board of Trustees and the Programme Committee to meet next month SIDSUC need to be given a chance to realise its great promise