FNU’s Senior Leadership Team with Chair of the Higher Education Commission Fiji, Steve Chand.

Fiji National University (FNU) today signed a significant agreement with the Higher Education Commission of Fiji (HECF) to facilitate the use of grant from the Fiji Government, in support of the Pacific Action for Climate Transitions (PACT), a collaborative research and capacity-building centre in partnership with Monash University.

The agreement, supported by a $2 million grant from the Fiji Government under the 2024/2025 national budget, establishes a platform for high-impact research, education, and policy engagement aimed at enhancing climate resilience in Fiji and across the Pacific region.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Professor Unaisi Nabobo-Baba, Vice-Chancellor of Fiji National University, said that the partnership with the HECF and our continued collaboration with Monash University through PACT reflect FNU’s unwavering commitment to climate action.

“It aligns perfectly with our Strategic Plan 2024–2026, particularly our pillars of ‘Research Excellence’ and ‘Sustainable Futures’. The work we embark on through PACT will empower local communities, inform policy, and nurture the next generation of Pacific researchers,” highlighted Professor Nabobo-Baba.

As part of the agreement, a three-member Project Committee will oversee the allocation and governance of the government grant. The committee will include representatives from FNU, Monash University, and the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change.

Through PACT, FNU will lead research and capacity-building initiatives in areas such as climate change adaptation and mitigation, economic resilience, food security and disaster mitigation, which are key themes outlined in the University’s strategic vision.

Professor Nabobo-Baba emphasised that this initiative is a testament to the power of partnerships in advancing national and regional priorities.

“We are proud to be a catalyst in shaping research that is both academically rigorous and deeply rooted in the Pacific context. PACT is more than a research centre — it is a movement towards a sustainable and secure future for all Pacific peoples.”

FNU remains committed to leveraging academic collaboration to tackle some of the most pressing challenges of our time, with climate change at the forefront.