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, which aims to enhance gender equity within the institution.
The fund is designed to assist female academics nearing promotion by providing them with the opportunity to temporarily step away from teaching duties to concentrate on their research and publications.
The inaugural recipients include Dr. Buriata Tofinga, a lecturer at the School of Business and Management; Dr. Amanda Ford, a senior lecturer at the School of Agriculture, Geography, Environment, Oceans, and Natural Sciences; and Dr. Hilda Waqa-Sakiti, the lead researcher and team leader at the Pacific Centre for Environment and Sustainable Development.
Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Pal Ahluwalia, noted that the initiative was launched earlier this year in celebration of International Women’s Day with the theme “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress.” He emphasized that this groundbreaking initiative at USP is part of the university’s commitment to increasing female representation in academia.
Professor Ahluwalia expressed his congratulations to the recipients while also recognizing the efforts of all female academics at USP, stressing the significance of investing in women to foster their advancement.
Dr. Buriata Tofinga is researching the effects of climate change on women’s livelihoods, particularly focusing on the role of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) in empowering Indigenous women in vulnerable communities. She expressed enthusiasm for her work, highlighting its potential to contribute valuable insights to discussions on gender empowerment and traditional knowledge in the Pacific. The six-month teaching leave afforded by the award is seen as vital for female academics like her, allowing them to balance personal commitments while enhancing their research profiles and advancing their careers.
Dr. Amanda Ford’s research delves into coral reef ecology, marine management, and pollution, aiming to connect scientific research with practical management strategies. She leads two significant multi-year projects: one focusing on establishing regional baselines for marine plastics in reef fish across four Pacific Island countries, and another examining the effects of benthic cyanobacterial mats on Fiji’s coral reefs.
Dr. Hilda Waqa-Sakiti is conducting a pilot project to assess the health and stability of Fiji’s blue carbon ecosystems, such as mangroves and seagrass meadows. She is also steering the Pacific Ocean and Climate Crisis Assessment Project, which supports 16 Pacific nations in integrating Pacific Indigenous knowledge with Western scientific methodologies for climate adaptation and mitigation. The outcomes of her research are expected to assist Pacific governments in shaping policies and contribute to international discussions that highlight the distinct perspectives of the Pacific region.