The University of the South Pacific (USP) hosted an informal morning tea to enhance collaboration with key staff from the U.S. Embassy Suva on the 14th August. The discussion focused on the new U.S.-Pacific Resilience and Adaptation Fellowship Program (U.S.-PRAFP).
Professor Digby Race (Dean Graduate School, USP), Ms. Maria Elder-Ratutokarua (Regional Environment Specialist, U.S. Embassy), Ms. Jyotika Devi (Program Administration and Finance Officer), Mr. Richard Fitzmaurice (First Secretary and Pacific ESTH Hub Director, U.S. Embassy), Professor Gurmeet Singh (Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research and Innovation, USP), Ms. Prakriti Rachna (Program Coordinator).
Event Highlights:
- Informal Networking: The event featured key representatives from the U.S. Embassy Suva, including Richard Fitzmaurice, and Maria Elder-Ratutokarua. Their participation was valuable for strengthening the collaboration for the implementation of U.S.-PRAFP.
- Beyond Formal Barriers: The objective of the morning tea was to move beyond formal interactions and facilitate a more personal and engaging dialogue, particularly now that USP has appointed the two full-time staff to manage U.S.-PRAFP, Prakriti Rachna and Jyotika Devi. This approach helped in building stronger relationships and improving networking opportunities among all stakeholders involved in the U.S.-PRAFP.
Key Takeaways:
- Improved Communication: The morning tea effectively broke down formal barriers, fostering open and productive discussions. This new level of communication is anticipated to improve the overall implementation of the U.S.-PRAFP. Additionally, personal connections were established between Rachna, Jyoti, and representatives from the U.S. Embassy in Suva.
- Stronger Connections: The event strengthened relationships between USP and the U.S. partners, paving the way for more effective and cooperative efforts in advancing resilience and adaptation initiatives in the Pacific region.
Acknowledgments:
We extend our sincere gratitude to Richard Fitzmaurice and Maria Elder-Ratutokarua for their participation in this event. Your presence was instrumental in fostering a more collaborative environment.
