USP and FNU welcome 13 new PASS-CR Scholars for 2024
In a joint Welcome and Induction program, USP and FNU welcomed 13 new ACIAR PASS-CR scholars for 2024. The day started with a warm welcome from ACIAR Regional Manager Pacific and PNG. Mai Alagcan, who shared how excited ACIAR were to welcome scholars from Fiji, Samoa, Vanuatu and Tonga to The University of the South Pacific and Fiji National University. The 2024 cohort comprises 8 women and 5 men embarking on research journeys in Climate Change, Fisheries, Livestock systems, Soil management, and horticulture.
The induction, held at the USP Laucala Campus in Suva, Fiji, was attended by ACIAR alumni, current student researchers, new ACIAR scholarship recipients from Fiji and the Pacific, academic supervisors from USP and FNU with UniSC Academic Support Program Manager, Dr Linda Wess representing the Academic Support team from UniSC.
FNU Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research & Innovation) Professor Paul Iji, welcomed scholars to FNU, highlighting the institution’s focus on various fields of agriculture and emphasised the need for research in animal science, crop science, and fisheries, to name a few, since they joined ACIAR in 2020.
Professor Iji said, “Being part of the ACIAR family will boost FNU’s output in pursuing timely research in agriculture to fuel the future strategic development of the industry not only in Fiji but in the Pacific region.”
“We have broad research themes that cover food security and climate-resilient agriculture; livestock production and health in the area of sufficient and safe supply of animal protein; and fisheries and forestry by exploring the sustainable and broader exploitation of forest and water resources.”
USP’s Dean of the Graduate School Professor Digby Race welcomed the cohort to USP, outlining the need for collaboration among students, alumni, and supervisors to ensure the successful and timely completion of studies under the ACIAR scholarship.
Dr Linda Wess welcomed the scholars to the Australian Centre for Pacific Islands Research (ACPIR) at the University of the Sunshine Coast, explaining the support available to scholars and the opportunities to actively participate in UniSC HDR support activities.
“We welcome you to the ACPIR community, a multi-disciplinary research centre committed to working collaboratively with Pacific communities to shape a more sustainable future. You will join our research student community, sharing access to our library resources, online workshops and seminars. Welcome to the PASS-CR family”.
All university partners encouraged the new scholars to be active members of the research community and to make the most of the opportunity the prestigious scholarship provides.
As part of the induction of new postgraduate students, current and former recipients of the ACIAR scholarship also shared their journey and advice with the new recipients on how to better navigate their way for the duration of their scholarship.