About PIURN
Pacific Islands Universities Regional Network (PIURN) is composed of 15 Pacific Islands Countries and Territories universities located in 8 Pacific Islands Countries and Territories: Fiji, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Samoa, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, French Polynesia and New Caledonia.
The vision for PIURN is being a strategic instrument, promoting the agreed perspectives of collaborating universities when it comes to the identification of research priorities for the Pacific, and also being a very pro-active operational entity offering new educational and personal development opportunities to teachers and researchers. The vision will be realized by:
- facilitating the establishment of collaborative quality research programs ;
- developing ambitious joint training initiatives at graduate and PhD levels ;
- promoting renewed linkages and interactions between academia, industries, governments and the society at large; and
- storing institutional Research & Research Training policy documentation
Vision
To collectively empower the Pacific Universities to become key contributors to finding solutions for challenges facing the region.
Mission
To empower the new generation of Pacific leaders, researchers and professionals to better serve the needs and aspirations of the Pacific communities, in accordance with the education, research and technology pillar of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.
Objectives
- Validate and generate knowledge through research for priority challenges in the Pacific region.
- Share physical and intellectual resources, in an equitable manner, to facilitate quality research.
- Develop shared research training initiatives.
- Collectively work with regional and international organizations to strengthen the quantity and quality of research conducted in fields of major importance.
- Strengthen scientific research content in the curriculum and in teaching, with a focus on strengthening the content of PhD training and enhancing joint degrees at the Masters and PhD levels.
- Protect and apply local and indigenous knowledge systems.
- Provide ST&I policy advice at the regional and national level.
PIURN Governance
PIURN is co-chaired by The University of the South Pacific Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Pal Ahluwalia, and the University of New Caledonia President, Professor Catherine Ris
PIURN Secretariat
Ms Mathilde Souchon – mathilde.souchon@usp.ac.fj – is the PIURN Coordinator, based at USP Laucala Campus, Suva, Fiji.
PIURN Member Board Members
PIURN board members are Vice-Chancellors and Presidents of member universities or their nominees.
Click Here to View the PIURN Member Universities