The Fiji National University (FNU) has achieved a remarkable milestone, securing four prestigious King’s Fellowship Award PhD scholarships from the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU)—the highest number awarded to any institution in the country this year.
This accomplishment highlights FNU’s expanding reputation as a centre for impactful research and international collaboration, particularly in addressing critical global and regional challenges.
The scholarships will support doctoral research in vital areas including climate change adaptation, renewable energy, oral health, and community resilience. Among the awardees are three of FNU’s esteemed academic staff and one non-academic staff member, exemplifying the diverse talent nurtured within the university.
FNU’s Centre for Graduate Studies Dean, Professor Nii-K Plange, expressed pride in the university’s achievement saying “As a young university, it is a tremendous and deeply appreciated opportunity to be part of the ACU and to participate in the King’s Commonwealth Fellowship (KCF) awards. The KCF provides immediate support in building the university’s academic resources.”
Professor Plange while emphasising the University’s ambitious aspirations outlined the broader objectives of leveraging the KCF: fostering regional and international academic collaborations, establishing enduring professional relationships, promoting cultural exchange, and inspiring the next generation of researchers.
“We hope to attain as many fellowship awards as possible in the coming years. We intend to use these opportunities to build and fill the pressing need for highly qualified young academics with excellent research skills to address Fiji’s and the Pacific’s development challenges,” he explained.
FNU Vice-Chancellor, Professor Unaisi Nabobo-Baba congratulated the four recipients on this significant achievement.
“Their success not only reflects their individual dedication but also exemplifies the growing research excellence at FNU. We are grateful to the Association of Commonwealth Universities for their recognition and support, and we extend our thanks to our collaborating universities for providing these valuable opportunities. This milestone reinforces FNU’s commitment to fostering innovative research that contributes meaningfully to Fiji’s development and the wider Pacific region,” Professor Nabobo-Baba said.
One of the scholarship recipients, Ana Tuiketei—a prominent lawyer and the only non-academic staff to receive the award—shared insights into her research. Her PhD topic, “Building Sustainable Futures: A Livelihood-Centred Approach to Planned Relocation in Fiji,” focuses on improving policies surrounding community relocations in Fiji, ensuring they are sustainable and livelihood-oriented.
“This scholarship allows us to work and study for a PhD simultaneously. I am grateful to FNU and ACU for this opportunity. FNU is very inclusive when it comes to education. They saw my proposal and understood the gap I am trying to bridge. I don’t want to pretend to be a scientist; I want to create practical policies that incorporate science for our people, especially on climate change and planned relocation,” Tuiketei said.
Her research was inspired by her consultancy work as a legal drafter with the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) project on Fiji’s standard operational procedures guidelines for planned relocation under the Climate Change Act.
“Whilst juggling my ‘climate change project work’ and postgraduate climate change studies at the University of the South Pacific (USP), I discovered a significant policy gap. As a lawyer, I realised the importance of understanding both the climate science and the law—how science influences national policy,” she explained.
Tuiketei expressed gratitude towards her supervisor, Professor Plange, whose interest in Fiji’s development she believes is crucial for elevating national policies.
“Research like this is vital for Fiji’s national development plan, and I am thankful to be supervised by Professor Plange, whose vision for Fiji’s future includes bridging policy gaps,” she added.
The collaborating university for Ms Tuiketei’s PhD scholarship is the University of London, specifically the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS).
ENDS
The post FNU Secures Record Four ACU PhD Scholarships, Affirming Its Growing Research Excellence appeared first on Fiji National University.
Add Comment