Three female academics from The University of the South Pacific (USP) have become the first recipients of the Vice-Chancellor and President’s (VCP) Strategic Fund for Female Academics, an initiative aimed at promoting gender equity within the institution.
The Strategic Fund is designed to assist female academics who are nearing academic promotions by providing them with the opportunity to take a break from teaching to concentrate on their research and publications.
The inaugural recipients include Dr. Buriata Tofinga, a lecturer in the School of Business and Management; Dr. Amanda Ford, a senior lecturer in the School of Agriculture, Geography, Environment, Oceans and Natural Sciences; and Dr. Hilda Waqa-Sakiti, lead researcher and team leader at the Pacific Centre for Environment and Sustainable Development.
Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Pal Ahluwalia, noted that the fund was established to commemorate International Women’s Day and its theme, “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress.” He highlighted the significance of this initiative as USP’s first of its kind and reaffirmed the university’s commitment to increasing the representation of women in academia.
Professor Ahluwalia expressed his congratulations to the recipients and praised the dedication of all female academics and researchers at USP, emphasizing the importance of investing in women to expedite their professional advancement.
Dr. Tofinga’s research investigates the impact of climate change on women’s livelihoods, focusing on the role of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) in enhancing social and economic practices in indigenous communities vulnerable to climate change. She expressed her enthusiasm for the research, stating it will contribute valuable insights into discussions about gender empowerment and traditional knowledge in the Pacific.
Dr. Amanda Ford is engaged in research related to coral reef ecology and marine management, aiming to link scientific research with management efforts. Her projects involve assisting local communities in conserving marine ecosystems and include a regional initiative across four Pacific Island Nations to address marine plastic pollution in reef fish and the perception of such pollution.
Dr. Hilda Waqa-Sakiti is leading a pilot project focused on evaluating the health and stability of Fiji’s blue carbon ecosystems, such as mangroves and seagrass meadows. She is also at the helm of the Pacific Ocean and Climate Crisis Assessment Project, which spans 16 Pacific countries and seeks to integrate Indigenous knowledge with Western science in climate change adaptation and mitigation.
The research outcomes are expected to aid Pacific governments in policy development and contribute to global discussions, ensuring that Pacific voices and experiences are heard in the international arena.