The PASS-CR Program aims to enhance the Pacific agricultural innovation system by building on the strengths of Pacific universities and their regional partners.

This includes providing scholarships and academic support to students in agriculture, forestry, fisheries at the University of the South Pacific (USP) and Fiji National University (FNU). PASS-CR supports Masters’ and PhD students to conduct their research within an active or upcoming ACIAR research project.

Scholarships directly support the next generation of agricultural researchers, with a broader view to strengthening agricultural systems, food security and climate resilience across the Pacific.

Click here to read more about the scholarship program.

The Future Thinkers’ Awards provide an opportunity for PASS-CR scholars to conduct additional interdisciplinary research to integrate change climate into their agricultural research.

Click here to read more about the Future Thinkers’ Awards.

PASS-CR Scholars are supported throughout their Higher Degree by Research (HDR) journey by an academic support program designed to build their capacity to learn, grow and network. Examples of services and activities available to HDR students include:

★ Student support – to help monitor and resolve day-to-day issues.

★ Workshops to improve student capability in areas such as:

☆ Research ethics & integrity

☆ Research proposals & literature reviews

☆ Academic writing and publishing

☆ Science communications

☆ Expectations in HDR supervision.

★ Membership to the University of the Sunshine Coast Library, including access to academic journals and training.

★ A Pacific HDR Student Community – connecting students through social media platforms and virtual workshops.

★ Pacific Alumni Network – connecting alumni across the Pacific.

★ Monthly Pacific Seminar Series and Research Skills Sessions, delivered by ACPIR.

★ Job Ready Program – providing short work placements with organisations to help graduating scholars to secure work.

★ Opportunity to boost professional visibility with online profile and case studies that showcase the PASS-CR scholars.

The PASS-CR program includes a range of capacity building and networking initiatives that support academics in both Australia and the Pacific who work on Pacific agricultural research projects, such as:

★ Delivering a reference manual featuring ‘best practice’ policies and procedures, support tools, and guidance from senior Pacific, Australian and New Zealand academics.

★ Creating an online Australian and Pacific Islander Supervisor Register, which will enable research students, academics and stakeholders working on projects relevant to the Pacific Islands to easily search and retrieve information on supervisors, including their expertise and capacity to supervise HDR students.

★ Opportunity to boost professional visibility with online profile and case studies that showcase the PASS-CR academics.

The PASS-CR program is committed to supporting participating universities, the University of the South Pacific (USP) and Fiji National University (FNU) to provide high-quality, self-sustaining HDR training. Examples of capacity building and networking activities that directly support Pacific universities and academics include:

★ Development of the Pacific Agriculture Information System and Pacific Thesis Repository (PAIS) – a comprehensive directory of Pacific agricultural organisations, agricultural projects implemented in the Pacific region, and information on allied disciplines such as forestry, environment, fisheries, rural development, and ethnology. Visit: https://thepais.net/pais.

★ A dedicated focus on enhancing key research areas, including conducting the USP Soils Research and Teaching Capacity Review 2023 and FNU Forestry Research and Teaching Capacity Review 2023.

★ Opportunities for USP or FNU academics and professional staff to participate in staff exchanges and short-term placements in Australian and New Zealand institutions, as well as opportunities for Australian academics and professional staff to participate in staff exchanges and short-term placements in USP or FNU.

★ Collaboration with USP and FNU to share best practice scholarship administrative efficiency.