The 101st meeting of the Council of The University of the South Pacific (USP) was convened in Nukuʻalofa in the Kingdom of Tonga on 21–22 May 2026.
The meeting was formally opened by The Prince Regent, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Tupoutoʻa ʻUlukalala, who reflected on USP’s enduring importance as one of the Pacific’s leading institutions and a symbol of Pacific cooperation and leadership.
In his opening remarks, the Pro-Chancellor and Chair of Council, Mr Siosiua ʻUtoikamanu, said the University had spent recent months focused on stabilisation, governance alignment, and preparing a stronger foundation for the next phase of institutional development.
He noted that USP continues to navigate a rapidly changing higher education environment shaped by digital transformation, evolving student expectations, and shifting regional priorities.
Council received and adopted the University’s unqualified Audited Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2025 and also considered the University’s 2026 financial forecast and broader operating outlook, including the implications of global economic volatility, rising fuel and operational costs, student affordability pressures, and fiscal constraints across the region.
Discussions focused on safeguarding institutional sustainability while maintaining support for students, protecting academic delivery, progressing strategic infrastructure priorities, and strengthening resilience across the University’s regional network.
Members also received updates on government contributions and student charges, together with reforms to the University’s audit and assurance framework, and approved the appointment of the Governor-General of Tuvalu as the 33rd Chancellor of the University, effective from 1 July 2026.
As the meeting concluded, Council reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring USP continues to strengthen as a resilient, regionally connected, and future-focused university serving the peoples of the Pacific. Members also expressed appreciation to the Government and people of the Kingdom of Tonga for their warm hospitality.
The USP Council will reconvene for its 102nd meeting in Apia, Samoa, later this year.
