FNU Vice-Chancellor Professor Unaisi Nabobo-Baba (2nd from left) pictured with the heads of other Melanesian Nation Universities

The Fiji National University (FNU) is committed to strengthening partnerships with Melanesian universities after Vice-Chancellor Professor Unaisi Nabobo-Baba attended the first Melanesian Universities Meeting held in Port Vila, Vanuatu last week.

The meeting brought together leaders from universities in Melanesia, including the Vice Chancellor of the National University of Vanuatu (NUV), Jean Pierre Nirua as Chair; Professor Unaisi Baba, Vice Chancellor of the Fiji National University (FNU); Dr Cecilia Nembou, Acting Vice Chancellor of the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) and Dr Transform Aqorau, Vice Chancellor of the Solomon Islands National University (SINU), to discuss opportunities for collaboration.

It was agreed that there is a need to work together to address shared challenges, exchange knowledge, and provide more opportunities for students and staff.

FNU Vice-Chancellor Professor Unaisi Nabobo-Baba at the MSG meeting

“FNU is dedicated to partnership and cooperation with our regional neighbours,” said Professor Nabobo-Baba.

“We have a unique opportunity as the largest and most comprehensive university in the Pacific Islands to contribute to the development of higher education across Melanesia. I’m excited we could come together to start this important conversation on partnership.”

“FNU’s vision is to be a leader in higher education through accessible, inclusive, and innovative teaching, learning, research, and community engagement. Partnership is key to achieving this vision, and I’m optimistic about the opportunities ahead for FNU and our Melanesian partners.”

The meeting revealed that some of the issues that motivated to convene the first meeting of the Vice Chancellors of the MSG National Universities include:

• To enable labour mobility of MSG people between the MSG countries;
• Preferential Fee Levels for MSG citizens in the MSG National Universities.
• Introduce robust Student Exchange Programs to engender Melanesian fraternity and a feeling of togetherness.
• Introduce vibrant visiting lectureship program and sharing of curricula amongst MSG Universities to cultivate the spirit of Unity of Purpose for Melanesia.
• The promotion and protection of Melanesian culture and languages.
• The better utilisation of Melanesian traditional mechanisms, governance systems to address challenges, and the role that MSG Universities can play in a paradigm shift towards traditional solutions, etc; and
• Heightened militarization of our region, as a consequence of intense geo-political posturing to win the hearts and minds of our governments and peoples, and the role that MSG Universities can play in framing the right conversations and narratives that would lead to appropriate security policy decisions.

The Fiji National University is Fiji’s largest and most comprehensive university. FNU offers programmes and courses across multiple campuses and centres throughout Fiji and the Pacific region. FNU aims to provide students with an engaging learning environment, work-ready skills, and opportunities to achieve their full potential.