“From Linguistic Plurality to University Bilingualism: Realities and Challenges” 16th-17th July 2018
Program
The question of bilingualism is at the heart of the construction of the future Vanuatu National University and yet remains unexplored. Heritage of the colonial past but also peculiarity of the future, the opportunity that represents the educational and university bilingualism will also be the major challenge to ensure a stable and equitable development of the Republic of Vanuatu.
Through the organization of this seminar which follows the two previous seminars organized in November 2016 and November 2017, the Directorate of Higher Education of the Ministry of Education and Training wishes to offer a space for exchanges and reflections allowing to take an interest in the specific nature of a bilingual university, its concrete organization and its contribution to the affirmation of the national identity of Vanuatu, and intercultural relations at local, regional and international level. The bilingual university, through its potential contribution to economic and social development across linguistic and cultural barriers, through its basic mission of teaching and research, is indeed a factor of enrichment for Vanuatu.
Monday 16th July
8h30 : Welcoming participants
8h50 :Prayer
09h00-10h00 : Opening session
9h-9h20 : Opening speech
- Jean-Pierre Nirua ( Honorable Minister of Education and Training)
9h30-9h50 : General presentation
“Bilingualism Challenged by Multilingualism and Plurilingualism in Vanuatu ?”
Dr Louis Arsac ( PhD.)
9h50 : Photo session
10h00-10h15: Presentation of the two days' seminar objectives
- Pierre Metsan (National Coordinator of Higher Education, Ministry of Education and Training, MoET)
10h15–11h : Presentation : Language Policy Issues, the Current Reality
Dr Robert Early(Director of the Centre for Pacific Languages, University of the South Pacific) and Mrs Felicity
Nilwo(National Secondary Curriculum Coordinator, CDU)
11h15-12h15 : Exchanges between speakers
Facilitator :
- M. Pierre Metsan (National Coordinator of Higher Education, Ministry of Education and Training, MoET)
Speakers :
- Dr. Amton Mwaraksurmes (Lecturer - University of the South Pacific)
- Dr Fiona Willans (Lecturer - University of the South Pacific)
- Mr Roy Obed (Director of Education Services)
- Dr Robert Early (Director of the Centre for Pacific Languages - University of the South Pacific)
- M. Ben Boulekouran (Acting Director VITE)
12h15 – Lunch
13h30-14h15 : Présentation : «Bislama bae i go wea ? Discussion on Ideological Issues in the Implementation of a Language Policy for Higher Education” Dr Leslie Vandeputte
14h15- 15h15 : Exchanges between speakers
Facilitator :
- Mme Anne-Sophie Vivier (Technical Advisor for Higher Education, MoET)
Speakers :
- Dr Robert Early (Director of the Centre for Pacific Languages - University of the South Pacific)
- M. James Melteres (National Secondary Curriculum Coordinator, CDU),
- Mme Christelle Thieffry (Senior program manager, Education, DFAT),
- Dr Robin Averill (Associate Professor - Victoria University of Wellington),
- Mrs Helen Tamtam (Early years literacy specialist, VESP),
- M. Jacques Gédéon (Secretary General of the Public Service Commission),
- Mr Jean-Marie Virelala,Director of Higher Education, MoET
15h15 – Break
15h45 – 16h15 : Presentation : « Symbolic and Functional Bilingualism: Insights from an Anglophone School and a Francophone School »
Dr Fiona Willans (Lecturer - University of the South Pacific)
16h15 – Synthesis by Mr Louis Arsac