This week we celebrate the achievements of graduates from 18 countries walking the aisle at the Vodafone Arena in Suva, Fiji as they receive their qualification during The University of the South Pacific (USP) Laucala Campus Graduation.
Graduation is a momentous occasion in the life of USP graduates as it marks the celebration of a milestone in the journey of learning and personal growth.
The three graduation sessions will see 1,147 graduates receive their certificates, diplomas and degrees.
The first session saw 387 students from the School of Agriculture, Geography, Environment, Oceans and Natural Sciences (SAGEONS), School of Information Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Physics (STEMP), and the School of Business and Management (SBM) received their qualification.
An additional 256 students from the Pacific Technical and Further Education (Pacific TAFE) were conferred their certificates in the afternoon session.
USP Vice-Chancellor & President, Professor Pal Ahluwalia in his address to the 807 undergraduate and 340 postgraduate students said, “The education you received has prepared you to be contributors and catalysts for positive transformation of our Blue Pacific especially in a world that calls for innovative thinkers and compassionate leaders”.
The University has and continues to play a crucial role in advancing development in the Pacific region through several key initiatives and strategies, and contributes significantly to the socio-economic and cultural development of the Pacific region, preparing it to meet current and future challenges.
“Graduates, as you leave here, remember that you are part of the USP family—a family that spans generations. I urge you all to continuously embody our values of excellence and creativity, ethics and accountability, respect and inclusivity and supporting our Pacific people,” said Professor Ahluwalia.
In an effort to address the pressing issue of climate change in the Pacific, the Vice-Chancellor added that the newly launched NZD$15m ‘Centre for Sustainable Futures’ at USP will contribute to improved institutional capability and evidence-based decision-making in the Pacific region, fostering climate resilience and driving ambitious and innovative action on climate change.
“This Centre will be a central hub for climate change research and collaboration and create a multi-disciplinary, integrated, and strategic approach to climate change resilience and oceans management.”
This week’s graduation also recognises USP’s significant contribution towards women empowerment, with 61% of the overall graduates from all three session being female.
With the support of the senior management team at USP, programmes and initiatives around women and girls in STEM has grown and the University has undertaken critical work in championing gender equality and the advancement of women in this fields.
Today’s graduation also celebrates the achievement of 41 students who received their Masters from SBM, SAGEONS and STEMP.
An additional 85 students from the School of Pacific Arts, Communication and Education (SPACE), School of Law and Social Sciences (SoLASS), School of Accounting, Finance and Economics (SAFE), and Pacific Centre for Environment & Sustainable Development (PaCE-SD) will receive theirs tomorrow.
As emerging leaders of the region, graduates are urged to continue advocating for excellence in education and contribute to an agile, evolving and highly productive knowledge economy that can fully realise the 2050 Blue Pacific Vision.
