MR. KUSHAAL KIRTESH RAJ
Bachelor of Science | Graduate Certificate in Teaching | PGD Science | Master of Science | Certificate in Climate Resilience
USP plays an important role in molding our people, who do interesting, inspiring and life changing things, for their communities and the Pacific as a whole. And often we don’t see it. So today, we are happy to share Mr. Kushaal Kirtesh Raj’s story with you.
Kushaal Raj is a science graduate (chemistry and biology), having a bachelors, a post graduate diploma in science, a master’s in science and a graduate certificate in Teaching, to his name. And last and certainly not least, he also has a Certificate IV in Climate Resilience from Pacific TAFE. Amongst other accolades, Kushaal was a recipient of the USP gold medal for Most Outstanding (male) Student and the gold medal for the Most Outstanding Graduate in a major in education.
However, it was not just about classroom learning, because Kushaal also gained life impacting exposure and learnings from interacting with other people and cultures while at university and through the USP Student Exchange program and the Sakura Exchange program in science. Pertinent to note that the student exchange program still exists and USP students are fortunate to have the opportunity to apply for these programs, amongst others.
When asked what he was passionate about at USP, Kushaal says he “was invested in finding answers to life and existence of this universe in a holistic manner” and this fed his appetite to learn new things, incorporating many reflections based on spiritual lessons and religious scripture.
Having a keen sense of community, also led Kushaal to engage in environmental campaigns, blood drives, student counseling services, medical campus, food relief activities for the disability centers and participating in religious ceremonies at the USP-Muanivatu Ram Temple, along Laucalcabay Road, all while studying at USP. Kushaal also found time to join the Chemical Society of the South Pacific and coordniate national science competitions in secondary schools.
His dream of being a science professor, inventing something great and changing the world, bore fruit in the extracurricular activities Kushaal threw himself into. They taught him to provide solutions to classroom problems, interact with diverse people in the community, engage in intellectual discourse and translate theory into practice.
Kushaal landed a role at the Fiji Higher Education Commission (FHEC) in Suva upon graduation. He was a Policy Research Analyst in data and statistics and through this role, contributed to the development of higher education monitoring indicators; he also gained experience in compliance issues pertaining to academic institutes, improve his data collection skills and improve his social skills when it came to communicating with stakeholders, doing presentations and building his professional network.
A turning point in his career was when he joined the Fiji Government to provide lead on an ocean-climate nexus agenda, shifting his academic focus into public policy, diplomacy and climate sciences.
Kushaal was a proud civil servant, part of a focus group of ambitious, global advocates who introduced oceans as a formal mandate in the Paris Agreement, shifting a long-term informal approach to oceans under conservation. And while at the Ministry of Finance, he was part of the team that introduced key climate legislation and policy reforms, including the ban on single use plastic bags in Fiji. Many will recall the year plastic bags were banned and reflect on how it has led to a change in mindset and attitude and raised community awareness on plastics, the environment and climate change in general.
Today, Kushaal works for Conservation International, an international NGO, headquartered in Washington DC, and he is based in their NZ office. His work focusses on Pacific policy priorities pertaining to climate change, oceans and biodiversity. Kushaal is a “Pacific messenger” and conversation-maker, who looks for opportunities and funding partnerships from global conventions, distills those things while engaging stakeholders (like governments) shaping their outlook and influencing national policies and plans.
From being a civil servant in government, to an active player in civil society, who now speaks on issues of utmost importance to Pacific islanders and influencing outcomes (through research and data) that stand to benefit this generation and beyond, Kushaal has had a fascinating journey, and we celebrate this USP alumnus with pride and joy.
We had a few questions for Kushaal and here are his candid thoughts.
What initially sparked your interest in environment and climate change?
My entry into the environment and climate change space was purely coincidental! In 2016, a few academics approached me to collaborate on climate change research while based at the University of Fiji. Climate change research was popular and being grounded at this time, and this spiked my attention. After years of work and finding the relevance of climate change as being one of the greatest threats to humanity, I decided to streamline my work in this area.
What has been the most rewarding aspect of your career in conservation?
Conservation International has given me a sense of optimism and an international platform to build environmental resilience given the enormous work we do in ecosystem restoration and efforts to global biodiversity protection.
While the issue of climate change is highly politicized, working in an organization that fights to challenge mindsets, demonstrate locally led conservation efforts with Indigenous peoples and local communities, and reform national policy at the grassroots levels is certainly refreshing.
What advice would you give to students interested in pursuing a career in this field?
· Find career relevance based on your interests, and be patient but more importantly, be measurable. Always continue to invest your energy in little efforts; in creating local change and this could start with you.
· Use technology – you will not immediately find a career nor a great title. It is important to invest in short courses, virtual and in person workshop participation, attend global meetings and network, write opinion papers and articles, work on online campaigns, and build on multiple skillsets in the informal, non-formal and social platforms that are available to you. Make your resume interesting!
· Invest in yourself – undertake internships, volunteering with organizations, build on soft skills, make use of academics at USP, your lecturers and tutors who can advise you and link you with professional contacts and mentors in your areas of interest.
· Read, read and read – this is where opportunities open.
· Be ambitious and risk averse – you only go as far as your aspirations, so set tough goals and push yourself to accept change and move careers, move your geography and move your comfort zones.
Any mentors that helped in your life’s journey and influenced you?
Mr. Taholo Kami, the Special Representative on Oceans for the Fiji Government (2017-2019), has been an important mentor to me. Mr. Kami helped me remain calm and stay positive and patient with complex global processes. In addition, he trained me on how to deal with tough leadership and bring value to a young team by working collectively and appreciating diverse skillsets in a team and building relationships to make long term partnerships and trust.
Dr. David Rohindra and Ms. Roselyn Lata from USP, my professional mentors who helped me so much at USP.
Favorite Quote “we cannot change this world without being the agents of change – this starts from us, our homes and our communities”. [Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi]
What does it mean to you to be an alumnus of USP?
I feel motivated, inspired, and grounded as a former student. I feel part of the bigger Pasifika community and its members. USP inspires me to contribute to the region and always be connected to my home, Fiji. Apart from this, it is a regional architecture that can support capacity and the needs of the Pacific.
Publications
Ø Miko Maekawa, Nagisa Shiiba, Jack Stuart, Natalie Fiertz, Tracy Rouleau, Sally Yozell, Priyatma Singh, Dhrishna Charan, Kushaal Raj , Arpana Pratap, Hajime Tanaka. Resilience & Sustainability. March 31, 2023. CORVI: Measuring Multidimensional Climate Risks in Suva, Fiji. URL: CORVI: Measuring Multidimensional Climate Risks in Suva, Fiji • Stimson Center
Ø Leal Filho, Walter; Krishnapillai, Murukesan; Sidsaph, Henry; Nagy, Gustavo J.; Luetz, Johannes M.; Dyer, Jack; Otoara Ha’apio, Michael; Havea, Peni H.; Raj, Kushaal; Singh, Priyatma; Rogers, Tom; Li, Chunlan; Boodhan, Monica K.; Wolf, Franziska; Yayeh Ayal, Desalegn; Azadi, Hossein. 2021. “Climate Change Adaptation on Small Island States: An Assessment of Limits and Constraints” J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 9, no. 6: 602. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse9060602
Ø Biliana Cicin-Sain et al (2019). Assessing Progress on Ocean and Climate Action: 2019. A Report of the Roadmap to Oceans and Climate Action (ROCA) Initiative. URL: https://rocainitiative.files.wordpress.com/2019/12/roca-2019-progress-report-1.pdf
Ø Joseph, L., Singh, P., Singh, A. A., Raj, K., & Maharaj, A. (2019). Implications of Seagrass Ecosystem Degradation on Marine Resources and People’s Livelihood: A Case Study from Komave Village, Fiji. Asian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Research, 2(3), 1-13. https://doi.org/10.9734/ajfar/2018/v2i330011
Ø Charan, D., Raj, K., Chand, R., Joseph, L., Singh, P. (2018). At the Frontline of Climate Change: Adaptation, Limitations and Way Forward for the South Pacific Island States. In Leal Filho, W. (Ed) (2018) Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation Strategies for Coastal Communities. Springer, Switzerland. https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-319-70703-7#about
LinkedIn profile link: Kushaal Raj | LinkedIn
