Vice-Chancellor Professor Unaisi Nabobo-Baba

The Fiji National University (FNU) is honoured to announce the appointment of Professor Unaisi Nabobo-Baba, Vice-Chancellor of FNU, to the prestigious Policy Advisory Council of the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR).

Professor Nabobo-Baba brings nearly 40 years of distinguished experience in higher education, research, and development across the Pacific and beyond. Her leadership in academia with international collaborations, and community engagement has earned her recognition as a respected and visionary figure in regional and international development.

As a member of the ACIAR Policy Advisory Council, Professor Nabobo-Baba will join leaders and experts from across the Indo-Pacific region who advise Australia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and ACIAR on research priorities, partnerships, and strategic directions. The Council draws on the expertise of its members to ensure that Australia’s agricultural research aligns with national and regional needs and delivers meaningful impact.

“I am truly humbled and grateful for ACIAR’s confidence in appointing me to its Policy Advisory Council. It is both an honour and a responsibility that I carry not only as Vice-Chancellor of the Fiji National University, but also as a representative of the Pacific region, our communities, our farmers, and our researchers who work tirelessly to strengthen resilience in agriculture,” Professor Nabobo-Baba said.

“I promise to uphold the Council’s mandate with dedication and integrity, and to bring honour to the Pacific at this important point in time.”

Professor Nabobo-Baba’s appointment is a testament to her individual excellence and reflects FNU’s growing role in shaping agricultural research, sustainable development, and innovation in the Pacific. In this role, Professor Nabobo-Baba will contribute to guiding decisions that influence food security, environmental resilience, and collaborative research across nations.

Dr Suzie Newman, Acting CEO of ACIAR, said she was “particularly delighted” to welcome Professor Nabobo-Baba to the Council. She noted that when they met in Canberra a few months ago, Professor Nabobo-Baba was “a dynamic voice in the room representing the Pacific.”

“We look forward to welcoming you to Australia shortly for our first meeting. This appointment strengthens our partnership with FNU and the Pacific, and we are confident it will deliver lasting benefits for agricultural research and development in the region,” she said.

Sitting third from left: The Fiji National University’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Unaisi Nabobo-Baba, ACIAR Acting CEO Dr Suzie Newman with the ACIAR delegation together with FNU’s Senior Leadership Team at Nasinu Campus on October 7, 2025.