Three female scholars at The University of the South Pacific (USP) have been awarded the inaugural Vice-Chancellor and President’s (VCP) Strategic Fund for Female Academics, aimed at enhancing gender equity within the institution.
This Strategic Fund is designed to assist female academics on the verge of promotion by allowing them to temporarily pause their teaching duties to concentrate on their research and publications.
The first recipients of this fund include Dr. Buriata Tofinga, a lecturer from the School of Business and Management; Dr. Amanda Ford, a senior lecturer from the School of Agriculture, Geography, Environment, Oceans and Natural Sciences (SAGEONS); and Dr. Hilda Waqa-Sakiti, lead researcher and team leader at the Pacific Centre for Environment and Sustainable Development (PaCE-SD).
Professor Pal Ahluwalia, Vice-Chancellor and President, noted that the initiative was launched this year in recognition of International Women’s Day and its theme, “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress.”
“This significant initiative represents the first of its kind at USP and is in line with our commitment to increasing the presence of women in academia,” said Professor Ahluwalia. “It is a crucial component of a broader strategy aimed at advancing gender equity at USP.”
He congratulated the award recipients and praised the dedication of all female academics and researchers at USP, reaffirming the institution’s commitment to supporting women’s progress.
Dr. Buriata Tofinga’s research examines the effects of climate change on women’s livelihoods. She stated, “We will explore the role of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) in shaping the social and economic practices of indigenous communities vulnerable to climate change. This research is vital for discussions around gender empowerment and the significance of traditional knowledge in the Pacific.”
Dr. Tofinga emphasized that the six-month leave from teaching provided by the award is essential for female academics, acknowledging the dual pressures of personal responsibilities and professional commitments. “This award enables us to bolster our research profiles, accelerate our careers, and pursue academic advancement,” she noted.
Dr. Amanda Ford focuses her research on coral reef ecology and marine management, working to connect scientific research with practical management. “My team is committed to helping local communities and future generations conserve coastal marine ecosystems and their resources,” she explained.
Dr. Ford is currently leading two extensive projects: one is a multi-year study across four Pacific Island nations aimed at establishing regional baselines for marine plastics in reef fish while capturing local perceptions of plastic pollution; the other investigates the drivers and effects of benthic cyanobacterial mats on Fiji’s coral reefs.
Dr. Hilda Waqa-Sakiti is spearheading a pilot project to assess the health and stability of Fiji’s blue carbon ecosystems, including mangroves and seagrass meadows. She explained, “This project aims to develop a reliable tool for monitoring these ecosystems’ health tailored to Fiji. Additionally, I lead the Pacific Ocean and Climate Crisis Assessment Project, which spans 16 Pacific nations, examining how Pacific Indigenous knowledge can integrate with Western scientific methods for climate adaptation and mitigation.”
The data generated from her research is intended to aid Pacific governments in policymaking while amplifying the unique voices and experiences of the Pacific on the global stage.