[ANU Pacific.Institute] updates

[Miranda Forsyth]

Dear Pacific Institute

A few updates:

-          A brief summary of what was discussed at the review of the Bachelor of Pacific Studies meeting last Friday is set out below.;

-          The new and revised PI website will be online very very soon; we all owe Mike Cookson a very large bottle of champagne for the work he has done on this

-          The PI put in a submission in the last RSAP funding round on Constituting and Communicating Knowledge of the Pacific (further details available on request, but this was the only submission that met the RSAP criteria)

-          Chris and I are liaising now about a meeting date for the final Board meeting of the year, and anyone who has any item for the agenda then please send it to me.

Summary of last Friday's meeting on the BPASI

*         Peter Dean made it clear that the review was triggered by a university process that requires a review when enrolments fall below a certain level, and student numbers have been low for the BPASI.  The main discussion themes that came out were a lack of visibility of pacific studies for students and problems of structural impediments/ lack of clear pathways within CAP and CASS for students.  It was agreed that dismantling BPASI would not have a direct effect on courses or possibilities for students.  However, it was strongly suggested that it might send a negative external message about the importance of pacific studies within the ANU, especially in the context of overall uncertainty around CHL etc.  It was noted that CASS made the possibility of a Pacific Studies major in the BA as of last year and there is also a BA Pacific studies honours degree in CASS, which are the clearest pathways for students at present (together with the BPASI).

*         Peter Dean indicated that he had applied for $10,000 for next year to do a complete review of Pacific studies and get in some expert assistance from within the region.  However, even without the grant this could be done internally.

*         Peter Dean summarised the three options he would put to CAP exec as: abolish it; give a one year moratorium and make a decision pending the review of Pacific studies; keep the degree.  He seemed to be favouring option B.

*         On behalf of the PI I strongly advocated for the decision about abolishing the BPASI to be held over to the conclusion of this review (option B) as then it could be part of a much more positive presentation of how we will teach pacific studies better at the ANU, rather than appearing to undermine the importance of this area.

*         Overall everyone was agreed that that what was clearly required was a cohesive, coherent and well-supported path forward for the teaching of pacific studies.

*         Peter Dean is still eager to accept written submissions from anyone who is interested
Kind regards

Miranda

Miranda Forsyth
Fellow
State, Society and Governance in Melanesia Program
Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs
ANU College of Asia and the Pacific
Coombs Building, 9 Fellows Road
The Australian National University
ACTON ACT 2601
T +61 2 6125 1505
F +61 2 6125 9604
M +61 0429 903 094
miranda.forsyth at anu.edu.au<mailto:miranda.forsyth at anu.edu.au>
bellschool.anu.edu.au<http://bellschool.anu.edu.au/>
CRICOS Provider #00120C

New!
Weaving Intellectual Property in Small Island Developing States
Miranda Forsyth and Sue Farran
Available from Intersentia: http://intersentia.com/en/shop/professioneel/weaving-intellectual-property-policy-in-small-island-developing-states.html

[9781780682259]


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