MONASH University will be part of a program to help young athletic hopefuls in the Pacific region realise their ambition.

The university will contribute its education and research expertise to the Oceania Foundation project to identify and develop young athletes.

At the signing this month, former Olympian Catherine Freeman presented the SmartSpeed light gate, a technology used to measure athletic prowess. The light gate is already used by many AFL clubs to help refine their athletes.

Freeman, who launched the project in Vanuatu on February 13, will investigate how the Catherine Freeman Foundation can support the program in Australia.

The 400metres gold medallist said she understood how young athletes in non-developed nations may benefit.

``I think it is an exceptional beginning to something that could be beyond their wildest imagination.

``I can relate to their perspective from an indigenous background. I am a good example of what you can do with little resources, but a lot of passion.''

Monash University deputy vice-chancellor Stephanie Fahey said the Talent ID program would test the range of athletic abilities of secondary school students in the Oceania region.

``The Oceania Foundation is making important inroads in developing sports programs in the Pacific Islands and we look forward to a healthy partnership with them.''

The foundation was formed in 2006 by the Oceania National Olympic Committee to tap into charitable and philanthropic sources to help fund sports development in the Oceania region.

Oceania Foundation chief executive Kevan Gosper said the program could help Oceania countries generate world-class athletes. ``This is a historical initiative for the promotion of sport in the Pacific region and a giant step in narrowing the technological gap that up until now has favoured athletes from developed nations.''