Leaders attending the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) meeting in Tonga received assurances regarding the University of the South Pacific’s (USP) central role in the social and economic transformation of the Blue Pacific towards a skilled society.
During a session yesterday, USP Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Pal Ahluwalia presented before the Forum leaders alongside other heads of regional organizations. He emphasized USP’s dedication to training and producing educated and skilled graduates who will aid in creating a flexible and productive knowledge economy, essential for achieving the 2050 Blue Pacific Strategy.
The leaders acknowledged USP’s unique position as the premier institution in the region for higher education, training, research, and policy guidance. Prof Ahluwalia also commended the Chair of PIF and the Prime Minister of Tonga for prioritizing ‘Education and Health’ topics in the leaders’ agenda after nearly a decade of focus elsewhere.
The Pacific Regional Education Framework (PacREF), which operates under USP, was recognized by leaders as a pivotal component in developing resilient, inclusive, and high-quality education systems throughout the region.
Climate change was a significant topic of discussion, with Prof Ahluwalia outlining the newly established ‘Centre for Sustainable Futures’ at USP. This center aims to enhance regional efforts in tackling climate change issues, including the development of resilient and transformative economies.
The initiative will consolidate expertise, promote interdisciplinary collaboration, and foster a holistic approach to training and research, ensuring that the strengths of various specialized institutions come together to address climate change comprehensively in the Pacific Island countries.
Prof Ahluwalia reaffirmed USP’s commitment to reinforcing existing regional frameworks for ICT development in the Pacific, emphasizing the prioritization of cybersecurity at the forthcoming ICT Ministerial Meeting and the establishment of a governance framework that includes the Regional Regulatory Authority (RRA).
These efforts will involve close collaboration with all CROP agencies. USP currently leads the CROP ICT Working Group and the CROP Working Group on Human Resource Development, while actively participating in other working groups through its membership.
In his address, Prof Ahluwalia also informed leaders about significant global transformations in the Higher Education Sector, particularly shifting student demographics and labor mobility challenges. He concluded by stating, “USP is addressing these issues through cross-cutting themes of Consolidation, Transformation, Innovation, and Sustainability.”