Comunidad del pacífico en perspectiva - Volumen 2

THE ROLE OF THE UNIVERSITlES IN THE PACIFIC COMMUNITY teaching and training of personnel, research into identified development problem areas, and provision of consultation service to and for those who de· termine the future of the peoples of the Pacifico ~~.~.v; ... These three major service& to the communitycan be done both independently by individual universities andjor jointly with other similar institutions within the region. It is vitally important lor the various institutions of higher learning in the region or else– where to cooperate for the purpose of avoiding unnecessary dupli– cation of resources and effort. Cooperation is also necessary from the part of individual disciplines and fields of study so that a mo– re comprehensive approach to problem-solving is adoptedand exercised by all concerned in universities and their national Go– vernments. But before universities address themselves to these three general services areas they must c1arify their educational and philosophical directions. They themselves must provide a leader– ship in helping to c1arify and promote objectives and aims df the individual island states and the Pacific CommuIiity within the spirit of their fundamental philosophical and ideological basis. The universities must be regarded as vitally important for natio– nal and regional development-serving the people of the region. The programmes and th'eir method of implementation must be in harmony with the best traditions of the com~unity they serve and with the challenge of the world today, to improve and better the quality of life of the peoples of the Pacific Community through national, regional and international understanding and coope– ration. 3. THREE POSSIBLE UNIVERSITY SERVICES TO THE COMMUNlTY 1. Teaching and Training 01 Personnel Through the various teaching programmes of universities, islanders can be educated and trained in various disciplines in prepara– tion for creating and providing a dynamic workforce for the va– rious countries in the región. This oppártunity must cater for the , '211