SUVA (Indian Weekender / Pacific Media Watch): In a historic development, the University of the South Pacific and Japan—through the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and JICA and USPNET—had a live interview with Japanese astronaut Dr Satoshi Furukawa.
Students from Suva Sangam School, where there is a Japanese volunteer, and from USP had an interesting 30 minute question-and-answer session with Dr Furukawa at the Japan-Pacific ICT Centre on October 14.
Students asked many interesting questions to which Dr Furukawa responded fully and clearly.
JICA and JAXA officials were also part of the event that included media personnel from Japan and Fiji.
Live interaction with the International Space Station showed how cutting edge facilities of the Japan-Pacific ICT Centre and USPNET can reach out even to outer-space.
Professor Rajesh Chandra, vice-chancellor of USP, said this event was a fitting demonstration of the capabilities of USPNET and its partnerships with Japan.
Fiji was the first country selected by JICA for interaction with the International Space Station.
This showcases the benefits of networking and partnership, and the depth of the USP-Japan partnership, said officials.
The Chief Representative of JICA in Fiji, Juichiro Sasaki, emphasized the importance of setting high goals, and broadening horizons. He indicated that innovations could only occur by aiming high.
Sasaki also spoke of the large investment of F$80 million in the Japan-Pacific ICT Centre and his hope that the centre will serve the Pacific region well.
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