Three female scholars 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 fostering gender equity at the university.
The Strategic Fund is designed to assist female academics nearing promotion, allowing them time away from teaching to concentrate on their research and publications.
The awardees include Dr. Buriata Tofinga from the School of Business and Management, Dr. Amanda Ford from the School of Agriculture, Geography, Environment, Oceans and Natural Sciences, and Dr. Hilda Waqa-Sakiti from the Pacific Centre for Environment and Sustainable Development.
Professor Pal Ahluwalia, Vice-Chancellor and President, stated that the initiative was launched earlier this year in honor of International Women’s Day, emphasizing its theme: Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress.
“This significant initiative is unique at USP and aligns with our commitment to increasing the number of women in academia,” said Professor Ahluwalia. He added that it forms a crucial part of a broader strategy to promote gender equity at the institution.
He congratulated the recipients and acknowledged the dedication of all female academics at USP, highlighting the importance of investing in women for their career advancement.
Dr. Buriata Tofinga is researching the effects of climate change on women’s livelihoods. She expressed her enthusiasm for how her work will contribute to discussions on gender empowerment and the role of traditional knowledge in the Pacific region, stating that the six-month research leave afforded by the award is essential for women managing the intersection of work and family commitments.
Dr. Amanda Ford’s research focuses on coral reef ecology, marine management, and pollution, aiming to connect scientific inquiry with practical management for local communities. She leads several multi-year projects, including one that establishes baselines for marine plastics in reef fish across four Pacific Island Countries.
Dr. Hilda Waqa-Sakiti is working on a project to assess the health of Fiji’s blue carbon ecosystems, which include mangroves and seagrass meadows. Her work aims to create assessment tools tailored for Fiji and leads the Pacific Ocean and Climate Crisis Assessment Project, evaluating the intersection of Indigenous and Western scientific knowledge in addressing climate change.
The research findings are expected to inform Pacific governments’ policies and support global negotiations, reinforcing the distinct perspectives of the Pacific region.