The Pacific Islands Universities Regional Network (PIURN) convened its 2026 Board Meeting on 9 September 2026, hosted by Christ’s University in Pacific in Nuku’alofa, Tonga. Bringing together Vice-Chancellor and Senior Representatives from 11 PIURN member universities, the meeting provided an important platform to strengthen regional academic cooperation, advance collaborative research, and shape the future direction of PIURN.
Participants travelled to Tonga from across the Pacific, including Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Vanuatu, French Polynesia, Fiji and New Caledonia, highlighting the commitment to foster connections between universities across the region.
The annual PIURN Board Meeting serves as a strategic pillar of the network, to discuss priorities, opportunities and the future development of PIURN.
The agenda included updates on collaborative research, student and academic mobility, future funding opportunities, upcoming regional initiatives, and the continued expansion of PIURN’s membership and partnerships.
A key focus of the meeting was the growing impact of PIURN’s collaborative research projects. The PIURN Secretariat presented updated findings from the impacts of PIURN Projects for the 2017–2025 period. Throughout this period, PIURN collaborative projects have contributed to 25 academic publications, more than 30 presentations and communications at regional and international conferences and workshops, and the involvement of more than 60 students in research activities.
Beyond the strengthening of collaborative research between universities, the PIURN Secretariat also provided updates on mobility opportunities planned for 2026, including the Pacific Mobility Campus. This programme is co-organised by the University of New Caledonia (UNC), the University of French Polynesia (UPF) and Solomon Islands National University (SINU) targeted at PIURN undergraduate students, to be held in November 2026. It aims to strengthen interdisciplinary understanding of Pacific socio-ecological systems while fostering regional academic collaboration and encouraging comparative perspectives across Pacific Island Countries and Territories. The programme, funded under the Campus Mobile Pacific, a French ministry of foreign affairs initiative, encourages student mobility across the Region.
Another initiative presented was the 2nd edition of the PIURN Summer Institute for PhD Students, which will be hosted by the University of New Caledonia in November. The multidisciplinary theme for the 2026 Institute is “People-Centered Development”, reflecting PIURN’s commitment to research that responds to the priorities, experiences and aspirations of Pacific communities.
One of the major outcomes of the 2026 Board Meeting was the endorsement of the PIURN Regional Mobility Fund, proposed by the National University of Vanuatu. The new initiative is designed to support short-term academic mobility among PIURN member universities, creating further opportunities for staff and students to engage in academic activities, develop institutional connections and strengthen regional knowledge exchange. The Fund represents an important step towards making academic mobility more accessible within the Pacific and strengthening the links between PIURN member institutions.
The Board also discussed preparations for the 2027 PIURN Regional Call for Proposals, which will provide opportunities for member universities to develop new collaborative research initiatives addressing issues of regional significance.
Planning also continued for the 7th PIURN Conference, which will be hosted in Fiji in 2027 in partnership with the University of the South Pacific, Fiji National University and the University of Fiji.
PIURN member universities also explored the development of an Associate Membership Status, an initiative intended to strengthen collaboration with universities and institutions from the Pacific Region sharing PIURN’s objectives and values. The proposed status would create additional opportunities for knowledge exchange, research partnerships and academic cooperation within the Pacific environment of higher education and research.
A significant milestone was also reached during the meeting with the official approval of Tonga National University as the 17th member of PIURN. The addition contributes to PIURN’s growing regional community.
The Board Meeting celebrated partnership in the Kingdom of Tonga. Board members and university representatives were invited to attend the Opening Ceremony of the Christ’s University in Pacific Bible Conference on September 10th, held in the presence of Their Majesties King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau’u. The participants had the opportunity to discover the island of Tongatapu. providing a valuable cultural and social dimension to the meeting and allowing representatives from across the Pacific to connect beyond the boardroom. A farewell dinner concluded the regional meeting.
The 2026 PIURN Board Meeting reaffirmed the Network’s commitment to building stronger connections between Pacific universities, supporting Pacific-led research, expanding opportunities for students and academics, and strengthening the exchange of knowledge across the region.
Mālō ‘aupito Christ’s University in Pacific for hosting the 2026 PIURN Board Meeting.