Pacific education: Backsliding outcomes and a financing freefall
Education outcomes in the Pacific are faltering. Across much of the region, participation in formal education is declining, along with graduation rates and academic performance. Both domestic and international funding
Disunity in USP strike
A special University of the South Pacific Council meeting to address rising tensions between staff and management appears to have failed in its attempt to quell a threat of a strike by USP staff
USP Strike continues
A strike at the University of the South Pacific continues in Suva today with no word from the university Council on whether the striking staff and students have been
National University of Vanuatu Partners with IDP Education to Offer IELTS Testing, Making International Study and Work More Accessible for Ni-Vanuatu
The National University of Vanuatu (NUV) and its language centre, is proud to announce the signing of an agreement with International Development Programme Education (IDP Education), co-owner of the International
USP Council asks for an independent review of HR concerns
The Council of The University of the South Pacific has resolved to address growing concern amongst staff, students and stakeholders regarding management at the region’s premier university. A statement released
Pacific Education Research Bank: Advancing Educational Research and Knowledge Sharing
In celebration of this year’s International Literacy Day, the Pacific Community’s (SPC) Educational Quality and Assessment Programme (EQAP) and the SPC-coordinated Pacific Data Hub are proud to unveil the
USP Council summoned as dissent creeps into student body
Dissent has broken out between the USP Students’ Association and students supporting sacked academic Dr Tamara
“Literacy is the skill we build to communicate”: Celebrating World Literacy Day
Literacy is not just about reading or writing was the message to teachers, students and policy makers marking International Literacy Day in Suva earlier this month. Former Pacific Community (SPC) Director of Educational
Hey Dave, I’ve got an idea for you
Sure, ChatGPT can write a poem about your pet in the style of T.S Eliot, but generative artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots have a potentially more useful role to play in idea generation according to a new study by
SPC launches new Pacific-specific literacy interventions tools
Suva, Fiji – The Pacific Community (SPC), together with its regional education stakeholders, launched two literacy resources during this year’s International Literacy Day (ILD) celebrations. These resources can now
Pacific Islands SG visits tsunami-affected school
Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General, Baron Waqa, was welcomed with songs and cheers this week when he visited a Tongan primary school that was devastated by the December 2021 volcanic eruption and tsunami.
Mounting discord at USP
Academics warn of 'toxic' atmosphere damaging the region's largest university Growing discord within the ranks of the University of the South Pacific ( USP ) escalated further this month with the summary dismissal of a
USP Fiji staff vote to go on strike for the second time in 5 months
University of the South Pacific staff in Fiji, where the University is headquartered, have voted to go on strike for the second time in five months, this time demanding to have Vice Chancellor, Professor Pal Ahluwalia
USP boss sacks union leader for speaking out
The University of the South Pacific (USP) has terminated the work contract of union leader, Dr Tamara Osborne-Naikatini. The President of AUSPS (Association of the University of the South Pacific Staff), Dr
Exams in doubt after Solomon Islands Government cuts entire funding allocation
All examination classes face the possibility of not sitting their exams as the Solomon Islands Government has cut the entire budget allocation of more than $70 million (US$8.41 million) for this year’s national
USP problems fester behind veil of silence
One month after the University of the South Pacific’s (USP) Council voted to move controversial Vice Chancellor, Professor Pal Ahluwalia from Samoa to Fiji, the University’s two unions are demanding Ahluwalia’s
Papua New Guinea has ‘human capital crisis’, says World Bank
The World Bank has urged the largest Pacific Island nation, Papua New Guinea, to address a “human capital crisis” and invest more in educating children, who suffer high rates of stunted growth and illiteracy, as a
USP Council votes to bring controversial VC back to Fiji
Controversial University of the South Pacific (USP) Vice Chancellor and President, Professor Pal Ahluwalia, will return to be based at the USP main campus in Fiji following a decision by the University Council. The
Where is USP heading amid a gathering storm?
In February 2021, the University of the South Pacific (USP) was plunged into crisis when Vice Chancellor, Professor Pal Ahluwalia was unceremoniously thrown out of Fiji following a middle-of-the-night raid on his campus
USP students with big dreams
Hundreds of students from around the region this week filled the Australia Pacific Lecture Theatre at the University of the South Pacific (USP) Laucala Campus, with much eagerness to further their studies. Every year,
Dropouts declining, but education challenges remain
Analysis of 2021 data on student retention and attrition of students indicates that student dropouts are gradually decreasing in the region. Data collected by the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and
The growing impact of technology on education
Technology has had an increasingly significant impact on the education sector, with mobile phone technology upscaling the delivery and accessibility of education in the Pacific, and the growth of artificial intelligence
Fiji Business Briefs: ANZ survey, Drua sponsorship deal, Raine & Horne reopens
ANZ business survey: Turnover up, profitability down ANZ’s Fiji Business Survey for Q3 2023 has reported a positive upturn in turnover, with 42% of surveyed firms noting higher demand compared to the previous quarter.
