The University of the South Pacific (USP) Laucala Campus has enabled the M-Paisa mobile payment option for its students across all campuses Fiji-wide.
Deputy vice-chancellor and vice president regional campuses and global engagements of USP, Dr Giulio Masasso Tu’ikolongahau Paunga said they would like to offer students greater convenience and flexibility to make their payments from wherever and whenever without the need to queue up at the cashier counters.
He said access to payments “on the go” through M-Paisa mobile wallet provides students with 24×7 convenience to make all their payments to USP.
“We are also moving towards a “less cash campus” initiative to reduce cash handling on campus.”
“This ensures that the risks of carrying such large amounts of cash by students and staff are minimised.”
“Student fees can run into thousands of dollars depending on the courses and number of units they undertake and paying them electronically significantly reduces the risk.”
“Mobile payments globally are becoming a norm as the benefits of secure cashless payment are realised by businesses and consumers alike. It is efficient, convenient, and much safer and provides an electronic transaction trail for greater accountability and revenue assurance.”
“For USP, the less cash it handles, the better it is for the institution. With campuses spread across the country, the M-Paisa payment option increases efficiency and control over USP’s collections and receipts.”
USP will enable the M-Paisa QR code as an on-counter payment option as well as the remote payment option whereby students can use the M-Paisa app to make the payment of their tuition fees or any other fee such as admin fee, library fee at any time and from anywhere.
Paunga said they will also encourage cashless payment via M-Paisa at restaurants and coffee shops around the campus to make it convenient and safe for students.
“Many USP students also receive the TELS allowance directly on their mobile through M-Paisa and these students will no longer need to cash out their allowance to make payments to USP as they can make payments directly.”
Head of Vodafone eCommerce and digital financial services, Shailendra Prasad, said M-Paisa offers many benefits to students.
“Firstly, there are no fees and charges for using the M-Paisa service to pay USP. It’s a free service. It is available 24×7 without the need to queue up at cashier counters or at the bank.”
“Students can make all types of payments that are required at USP such as tuition fees, library fees, and student admin fees and even make purchases at USP Bookshop.”
“They can also pay their water and electricity bills and top up their mobile at any directly from M-Paisa.”
As an introductory offer, students who pay USP via M-Paisa until 30th March 2023 will receive fee 1 GB fee data on every M-Paisa payment to USP and go into the draw to win a brand-new iPhone 12 pro max 512 GB.
