The first Pacific Islands Universities Regional Network (PIURN) Summer Institute took place from November 24th to November 28th, at the newly established Centre for Sustainable Futures at the University of the South Pacific (USP) Lower Campus in Suva, Fiji.
Students and supervisors conducting research on Climate Change from Christ’s University in Pacific (Tonga), Fiji National University, National University of Samoa, National University of Vanuatu, Pacific Adventist University, Papua New Guinea University of Technology, Solomon Islands National University, University of French Polynesia, University of Fiji, University of New Caledonia, the University of the South Pacific, came together to participate in this one-week training : PIURN Summer Institute – Programme
The opening ceremony starred Deputy Vice Chancellor Education USP, Professor Jito Vanualailai, who currently serves as the PIURN co-chair. He reminded the participants of the journey of PIURN, since its inception to the opening of the PIURN summer institute “This first PIURN Summer Institute is the realization of the shared vision of our member universities: to put the students at the forefront of PIURN’s efforts and strengthen the research pathways.”
Dr Manumatavai Tupou-Roosen, Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor Regional Campuses and Global Engagement emphasized the spirit of regional collaboration and the importance to connect institutions and individuals.
Dr Awnesh Singh, Interim Director for Centre for Sustainable Futures, encouraged the students to use this week to broaden their perspective, to challenge existing ideas and to learn from one another.
Throughout the week, numerous sessions were led by PIURN Academics from USP, National University of Samoa, PNG University of Technology, University of New Caledonia, as well as researchers from Australian National University and Auckland University of Technology and the Pacific Community (SPC). The sessions provided an open platform for the participants to engage in rich exchanges and learn new concepts. The topics covered included Pacific data collection methodologies, the role of the Pacific region in climate diplomacy, strategies for building Pacific resilience… The students also worked on the synergies between their research work and identified possible collaboration.
To conclude the training, a field trip was organized to the village of Buretu in Tailevu. During the visit, the participants observed the impacts of climate change in the community, and the adaptation methods used to mitigate those effects. They engaged in a talanoa with the community, to share insights on nature-based solutions and learning from the village experience about relocation due to climate change.
This event was co-funded by the Pacific Fund, the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie, with the participation of the Australian National University, and Auckland University of Technology.
This inaugural PIURN Summer Institute strengthened ties not only between our PIURN institutions, students and academics, but also with the neighboring universities, to create lasting partnerships that will foster academic excellence of the region.
The 2026 PIURN Summer Institute will be held at the University of New Caledonia, co-chair of the network, supported by the new fund of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Campus Mobile Pacifique, to benefit mobility across the Pacific.
