Discipline of Land Management and Development
Staff
Staff

Dr. Joeli Varo

Head of Discipline of Land Management & Development

Email: joeli.varo@usp.ac.fj

Education 

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD): Geomatics: Papua New Guinea University of Technology (PNG Unitech)

Master of Science (MSc): Urban and Regional Planning: University of West Indies (UWI)

Bachelor of Arts (BA): Geography and Land Management: University of The South Pacific (USP)

Career summary

Dr. Varo hails from Naraiyawa village in the the Province of Namosi and is a lecturer at the University of the South Pacific, where he is the Head of Discipline for Land Management and Development since January 2022. Before this role, he worked as an Assistant Professor in Geospatial Science and Urban Planning at Fiji National University (FNU). He also held positions as a Lands Officer at the Ministry of Lands and an Estate Office Tourism at the iTaukei Land Trust Board (TLTB). His areas of expertise include Disaster Risks Reduction, Geomatic, Geospatial Science, Urban and Rural Land Use Planning, and Geography. Dr. Varo is known for his modest demeanor and embodies a simple principle of faithfulness in small tasks, diligent work in all he undertakes, obedience to wise guidance, respect for those older than him, commitment to his responsibilities, and steadfast dedication to his duties.

Teaching

Dr. Varo coordinates the following 100 and 200 undergraduate level courses:

  • LM112– Land Tenure: Challenges and Opportunities in the Pacific
  • LM113– Introduction to Geomatics
  • LM216– Planning and Environmental law
  • LM318– Industry Internship
  • LM402– Property Investment and Development Analysis
  • GS101– Geospatial Information Systems
  • SC356– Research Skills

Publications 

As an early career researcher, Dr. Varo is actively engage in research at all levels across multi-sectoral agencies collaboration as demonstrated in some publications listed below;

  • Pahlevi, M. R., Dinanti, D., Subagiyo, A., Qomariyah, Y., & Varo, J. (2023). The Relationship Between Community Characteristics and Urban Sprawl in Driyorejo Sub-District, Gresik Regency, Indonesia. Journal of Regional and Rural Studies, 1(1), 22-31. https://doi.org/10.21776/ub.rrs.2023.001.01.4

 

 

 

 

 

  • Varo, J., Sekac, T., Jana, S.K. and Pal, D.K., (2019): Demarcation of liquefaction potential zones in Fiji Islands: A case study of Vitilevu Island, Spatial Information Research, Springer Publication, ISSN: 2366 – 3286 (print version) ISSN: 2366-3294. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs41324-019-00265-1