The University of the South Pacific (USP) Council has announced the appointment of Siosiua Tuitalukua Tupou Utoikamanu as the new Pro-Chancellor and Chair of Council, effective from 27 November 2024. This decision was reached during the Council’s 98th meeting held in Rarotonga, Cook Islands, on 25 November.
Utoikamanu brings a wealth of experience to the role, with over 40 years dedicated to international development. His expertise spans public financial management, public administration reform, good governance, and project management. He has worked in multiple nations, including Tonga, Fiji, Tuvalu, Niue, Samoa, Nauru, Cook Islands, Marshall Islands, Vanuatu, and the Solomon Islands, showcasing his extensive regional knowledge.
His connection to USP is profound, having previously served as the Director of the Pacific Islands Centre for Public Administration (PICPA) from 2012 to 2015. Utoikamanu is also an alumnus of USP, completing his Preliminary Programme in 1974.
He holds multiple advanced degrees, including a Master of Social Science in Development Finance from Birmingham University (1983), and two Master’s degrees in Commerce and Administration from Victoria University of Wellington, along with a Bachelor of Commerce and Administration.
In addition to his rich academic background, Utoikamanu is a member of various professional organizations, such as the American Economic Association and the Asia and the Pacific Policy Society. He has also contributed to fiscal governance and public sector management literature.
Emeritus Professor Pat Walsh, the Acting Pro-Chancellor, expressed pride in Utoikamanu’s appointment, emphasizing that his renowned credentials will greatly benefit USP as it enters its next development phase.
This appointment seems poised to enhance the University’s mission, tapping into Utoikamanu’s extensive experience and renowned expertise, which could lead to fruitful advancements in the educational and governance sectors in the Pacific region.
Overall, the future appears bright for USP under his leadership, as he steps into this crucial role at a time when collaborative efforts and strong guidance are pivotal in fostering higher education’s impact on sustainable development in the Pacific Islands.
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