The University of the South Pacific Alumni Office in collaboration with the School of Accounting, Finance and Economics (SAFE), successfully held a panel discussion around the topic of “Envisioning the Modern Pacific Entrepreneur”.
The discussions featured USP alumni who are Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) operators and was moderated by Senior Lecturer (Accounting and Finance) Dr Nacanieli Rika.
The panellists included Mr Semi Tukana, a Fijian entrepreneur and Founder and Chairman of Software Factory Limited. He graduated from the University of the South Pacific with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics and Mathematics.
Mrs Siu Jione was also speaking on the panel, she is a Tongan entrepreneur, a mother and the co-owner and sole baker of Tala Kei Kapa, a popular bakery. She graduated from the University of the South Pacific with a Bachelor of Arts & a Master of Science in Climate Change.
The third panellist was Mr. Sanjesh Kumar, a Fijian entrepreneur and the co-founder of ACTON (Fiji) PTE LTD, a leading IT company. He graduated from the University of the South Pacific with a Bachelor of Science in Computing Science and Information Systems and a Master of Business Administration.
Ms. Elisabeta Waqa, “Lovo Queen”, is a Fijian entrepreneur and the founder of Tent 9, a successful catering business. She graduated from the University of the South Pacific with a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Accounting and Agricultural Economics.
The event was attended by alumni, academics, industry partners, business owners, students, staff, and members of the public.
Chief Guest Deputy Vice-Chancellor & Vice-President (Regional Campuses and Global Engagement) Dr Giulio Paunga acknowledged the innovation and the work that the USP alumni continue to do in their respective fields, in their countries and across the region.
Meanwhile, the panellists discussed various topics, including the importance of innovation and entrepreneurship in the Pacific Islands, good governance and company boards, challenges and purpose, mentorship, and networking opportunities. And they each shared their personal stories and experiences as entrepreneurs in the Pacific region.
USP produces graduates who have and continue to punch above their weight in business and innovation. The Envisioning the Modern Pacific Entrepreneur: Showcasing Our Alumni, brought together USP alumni and the public to have discussions, that points to how Pacific people, through innovation and business acumen, contribute to reaching the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) as well as playing a role in building economics of the Blue Pacific.
The panel discussion is just one of the many ways USP supports entrepreneurship in the Pacific region. The university offers a variety of programmes and resources to help students and alumni start their careers and grow their businesses.
USP is also inviting all those who are interested in speaking at any of our upcoming events or becoming a guest, to please register on our Alumni Portal at https://www.usp.ac.fj/alumni/arms/
