Page 3 - Islands Business October 2024 edition

NOV - APRIL: TROPICAL CYCLONE SEASON Shaping
NOV - APRIL: TROPICAL CYCLONE SEASON
Pacific
Futures

The 2024/2025 Southwest Pacific Tropical cyclone (TC) Season begins on 1 November

2024. TCs have occurred out-of-season in the months of May, June and October.
For the coming season, normal or above normal TC activity is likely west of and
including Vanuatu. For the east of Vanuatu, normal to below normal TC activity is
likely. It is important to keep in mind that it does not take a direct hit or severe TC to

cause considerable damage or life-threatening weather.

Stay updated with the latest TC alerts by connecting with your National Met Service.

USP surges up 2025 Times Higher

Education World University Rankings

The University of the South Pacific (USP) made significant strides of excellence.”
in its global recognition and has climbed up 200 places in the 2025 USP was also ranked amongst the top Universities in the 2024 THE
Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings. Impact Rankings. The Impact rankings The Times Higher Education
The University is now in the 801–1000 band of ranked universities, Impact Rankings are the only global performance tables that
reinforcing its reputation as the premier institution for higher assess universities against the United Nations’ (UN) Sustainable
learning in the region. Development Goals (SDGs).
The World University Rankings by THE is recognised as the world’s USP ranked in the 601 – 800 range out of 1963 institutions that
most comprehensive evaluation of a university’s performance. participated in the 2024 THE Impact Ranking and maintained its
With over 20,000 universities across the globe that are included position in five of the seven SDGs. This included;
in the International Handbook of Universities, only around 8% are ● SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy (401 – 600)
accepted for ranking by THE. ● SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth (301 – 400)
It is a remarkable achievement for USP to be the only university ● SDG 13: Climate Action (401 – 600)
in our region to be amongst this elite group of the world’s best
universities. ● SDG 14 Life below Water (201 – 300)
The 2025 Times Higher Education World University Rankings ● SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions (201 – 300)
assessed 2,092 institutions from 115 countries across numerous VCP Professor Pal Ahluwalia acknowledged the university’s ranking,
performance indicators covering teaching, research, knowledge stating, “USP, envisioned by the Pacific leaders over five decades
transfer and international outlook. ago, has indeed become the region’s common good through which
Vice-Chancellor and President (VCP), Professor Pal Ahluwalia said it addresses the region’s need for evolving development, education
the significant climb up the rankings reflects USP’s determination and research.”
and relentless focus on delivering quality education and impactful “Achieving the relevant SDGs is vital for the progress of our
research to the Pacific region. university and the region, underpinned by our 2022-2024 Strategic
“This is a significant achievement for our regional university and it Plan. It is also critical in the region’s collective efforts for global
is a testament of the hard work and determination of all our staff cooperation in achieving the SDGs, linking them to our 2050 Blue
to deliver quality, world-ranked education – our region deserves Pacific Strategy that strives to address our region’s medium and
nothing less.” long-term challenges.”
“Improving our ranking by 200 places is no easy feat as even Professor Ahluwalia also stressed that the ranking shows the hard
more universities participate every year in this highly competitive work and determination of the researchers and staff at the university
process.” in working towards achieving global recognition.
“Our staff, students, alumni, member governments and “I’m eternally grateful and proud of the achievements of our staff
stakeholders should all be immensely proud of the strides we are and students. This is never a one-person job; it’s teamwork. It’s
making to achieve this global endorsement of our quality and level always about bringing the best of everybody together.

www.sprep.org/climsa
Sponsored Content Islands Business, October 2024 3

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