Three staff members from the Institute of Applied Sciences (IAS) participated in soil capacity-building workshops and the Soil Science Conference held in Rotorua, New Zealand, from 25 November to 5 December 2024. These events were supported by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) grant, which brought together soil professionals from Fiji, the Solomon Islands, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu, Kiribati, and Tuvalu.
Participants included a diverse group of soil professionals such as academics, postgraduate students, agronomists, laboratory managers, and technicians.
IAS Manager Laboratory Services, Dr Vincent Lal; IAS Water and Soils Technician, Iliana Koroi; and IAS Manager Quality and Communication, Mereoni Degei, represented IAS at the events.
The staff members’ participation was supported by the ACIAR grant and the Periodic Table of Food Initiative through the American Heart Association Fellowship Program.
Pacific Soil Analysis and Advice Network Workshop
The team attended the Pacific Soil Analysis and Advice Network Workshop from 25-29 November, 2024, which focused on Data interpretation, Current soil research topics, Capacity building in soil testing, Nutrient management and Soil fertility across the Pacific region.
Dr Lal remarked on the value of the workshop, stating, “The training provided our staff with essential knowledge and skills to meet the growing demand for advanced soil analytical techniques at IAS Laboratory Services.”
ASPAC Laboratory Course
On 29-30 November 2024, the staff participated in the ASPAC Laboratory Course, held at the Millennium Hotel in Rotorua. Topics included Quality assurance and control in Pacific soil laboratories, Instrument maintenance and troubleshooting and Laboratory safety.
Koroi shared her experience, stating that “The training enhanced my understanding of soil testing methods and quality control measures, ensuring that soil data produced is both reliable and accurate.”
Soil Science Conference
Furthermore, the IAS lab team attended the Joint New Zealand, Australian, and Pacifica Soil Science Conference at the Rotorua Energy Events Centre from 2-5 December, 2024.
The conference showcased a wide range of soil research topics and included a field trip to Kaingaroa, the largest plantation forest in the Southern Hemisphere. Participants explored the impact of volcanic eruptions over the past 26,000 years on pumice soils and learned about forest soil management challenges in Rotorua.
Reflecting on the experience, Degei expressed gratitude for the support provided by ACIAR and the American Heart Association Fellowship Program. She said, “The training expanded my knowledge and helped refine my research focus on the soil microbiome. It was also an excellent opportunity to network with soil scientists from Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific conducting similar research.”
Dr Isoa Korovulavula, Acting Director of IAS, emphasised the importance of continuous professional development for the institute’s staff.
“As a research-based organisation, IAS is dedicated to equipping its team with the latest knowledge and appropriate technologies. This ensures that our staff can better serve the region through cutting-edge research and consultancy services,” he said.
These events underscore IAS’s commitment to fostering expertise in soil science, contributing to the region’s sustainable agricultural practices, and advancing scientific knowledge in the Pacific.
