A delegation of nine from The University of the South Pacific (USP) recently visited the University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney as part of the ongoing Project Halo partnership—an initiative advancing tidal restoration and floating mangrove technologies across the Pacific.
The delegation comprised four PhD scholars funded though Project Halo, generously supported by Swire Shipping, the academic leads at USP and the Project Halo Project Coordinator.
At the heart of the Project Halo research collaboration is a growing cohort of PhD students at both USP and UNSW, whose research spans across three key interdisciplinary themes:
This visit formed a vital step in ensuring that the research being undertaken across both institutions was well-aligned, coherent and complementary. Through in-person discussions, site visits, and academic exchanges, the trip aimed to strengthen collaboration and foster integration reinforcing the commitment of both institutions to applied climate resilience research under Project Halo.
With the USP and UNSW PhD scholars all in their first year of research planning and proposal writing, sharing of knowledge and facilities between USP and UNSW is paramount to effective on-ground results of this five-year project.
The visit commenced with a comprehensive tour of the UNSW Water Research Laboratory in Manly, where the USP team was introduced to current research projects in hydraulic modelling, coastal engineering, and tidal ecosystem restoration.
The day concluded with in-depth discussions focused on the PhD research projects, and exploring potential field sites for mangrove restoration.
On the second day, the delegation visited the UNSW Kensington Campus, where they were warmly welcomed by the Pasifika Student Network.
The visit featured a research seminar session at the UNSW Water Research Centre, with presentations from Dr Hilda Fane Waqa and Dr Isoa Korovulavula showcasing USP’s efforts in community-based climate adaptation and sustainable environmental practices in the region.
Professor Rafiuddin Ahmed Mohammed also delivered a presentation on renewable energy research at USP and future directions for the Pacific at the School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering.
A networking lunch and meetings with key UNSW researchers and leaders provided further opportunities for building collaborative pathways. A meeting with the Dean of Engineering and the Deputy Dean for Societal Impact and Translation allowed the team to share achievements to date and plans for the years ahead.
The third day took the delegation into the field, visiting active coastal restoration and environmental rehabilitation sites across Sydney, some places where UNSW has implemented the tidal restoration methodology now being tailored to Fijian mangrove species, environment, and communities.
These included Yeramba Lagoon, Georges River, and the Badu Mangroves in Sydney Olympic Park—sites that demonstrated large-scale implementation of nature-based solutions in urban environments. These visits offered valuable perspectives on translating similar methods into the Pacific context.
Project Halo is a five-year collaborative initiative between USP and UNSW, focused on climate resilience through science, innovative nature-based solutions, and community-driven solutions.
This visit followed reciprocal visits by UNSW to Fiji in 2024 and 2025 and reflects a deepening partnership between the two institutions. The USP delegation included academic supervisors, PhD scholars and project staff under Project Halo.
Looking ahead, the coming months will see the PhD scholars finalising and submitting their research proposals for candidature confirmation, alongside the ongoing selection of field sites for mangrove restoration. The team is also actively exploring the potential for cotutelle arrangements for the PhD scholars to support joint supervision and extended institutional collaboration.
