The University of the South Pacific has officially appointed Siosiua Tuitalukua Tupou Utoikamanu as the new Pro-Chancellor and Chair of Council, effective from 27 November 2024. This decision was made during the Council’s 98th meeting held in Rarotonga, Cook Islands, on 25 November.
Utoikamanu brings over 40 years of rich experience in international development, focusing on public financial management, public administration reform, good governance, project management, and consultancy. His extensive career spans across various Pacific nations, including Tonga, Fiji, Tuvalu, Niue, Samoa, Nauru, Cook Islands, Marshall Islands, Vanuatu, and Solomon Islands. He previously served as the Director of the Pacific Islands Centre for Public Administration at USP from 2012 to 2015, making him well-acquainted with the university’s mission and goals.
An alumnus of USP himself, Utoikamanu completed his Preliminary Programme in 1974. He holds multiple advanced degrees, including a Master’s in Social Science (Development Finance) from Birmingham University and two Master’s degrees in Commerce and Administration from Victoria University of Wellington.
His professional affiliations are extensive, including memberships in the American Economic Association and the Asia and the Pacific Policy Society at the Australian National University. Additionally, he serves on the Legal and Technical Commission for the International Seabed Authority and holds a directorship at the Pacific Catastrophe Risk Insurance Company. His published works focus on fiscal governance and public sector management.
Emeritus Professor Pat Walsh, the Acting Pro-Chancellor and Chair of Council, expressed the university’s honor in welcoming someone with Utoikamanu’s impressive credentials. This appointment comes at a crucial time as USP prepares for the next phase of its development.
In summary, Utoikamanu’s wealth of experience and educational background positions him as a vital asset to the University of the South Pacific as it looks towards future advancements and initiatives. This leadership change is expected to not only uphold the institution’s standards but also contribute positively to the educational landscape of the Pacific region.
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