Author: aniket

The University of Fiji strengthened its commitment to environmental sustainability and community responsibility through an Environmental Awareness and Mangrove Planting Initiative held at Saweni Beach, bringing together members of the University community and representatives from the Ministry of Forestry to support the protection and restoration of Fiji’s coastal ecosystems.
The initiative provided an opportunity for staff and students to move beyond discussions on climate change and environmental responsibility and take practical action towards building a more resilient coastline.
Vice Chancellor Professor Shaista Shameen says this initiative will demonstrate the University’s commitment to translating environmental awareness into meaningful action.
“This is an initiative that is part of our community and social responsibility and every year staff combine to contribute in a meaningful way, with assistance of our kind sponsors, to enhancing the wellbeing of the environment and communities that depend on it,” she said.
Speaking at the initiative, Mereisi Lewaniceva, Representative from the Ministry of Forestry, welcomed the University community and acknowledged the collective commitment demonstrated through the mangrove planting activity.
She highlighted the important role mangroves play in protecting Fiji’s coastlines, particularly through reducing coastal erosion, helping to lessen the impacts of storm surges, and supporting marine ecosystems and livelihoods.
“Protecting our beautiful nation is a shared responsibility,” Ms Lewaniceva said, emphasising the need for individuals, organisations, communities and institutions to work together to safeguard Fiji’s environment for future generations.
Representatives from the Ministry of Forestry also provided mangrove seedlings for the initiative and shared knowledge on the importance of mangrove ecosystems and their contribution to coastal resilience.
Ms Lewaniceva said the initiative reflected the University’s broader commitment to sustainability, community engagement and social responsibility. She explained that the activity emerged from departmental engagement and discussions surrounding the Human Resources Department’s Sub-Strategic Plan.
“Our responsibility extends beyond our core HR functions and we can contribute to the University’s broader commitment to sustainability, community engagement and social responsibility,” she said.
Also speaking at the event, Ashneel Kumar, Executive Director Human Resources at the University of Fiji, said the presence of the University community and the Ministry of Forestry demonstrated a shared commitment to protecting Fiji’s natural environment.
He highlighted the critical role of mangroves as natural coastal protection, describing them as important ecosystems that help safeguard communities from erosion and storm impacts while providing habitats that support marine life and coastal livelihoods.

Mr Kumar encouraged students to become advocates for environmental protection by sharing their knowledge with their families and communities, keeping coastal areas free from waste, and using opportunities for research and learning to better understand local environmental challenges.
“Today, you are not just planting trees. You are planting protection for your grandchildren. You are planting food security for your village, and you are planting Fiji’s future,” Mr Kumar said.
He also called on the University community to work alongside local communities and traditional owners to strengthen environmental education and conservation efforts.
The initiative forms part of the University of Fiji’s wider commitment to creating a culture of collective responsibility and supporting sustainable development. The University intends to continue undertaking environmental and community-focused initiatives aligned with its new Strategic Plan and broader institutional priorities.
The University of Fiji acknowledges the Ministry of Forestry for its support and contribution to the initiative, as well as the staff and students who participated in the mangrove planting activity.

 

The University of Fiji’s Adjunct Professor Shobha Maharaj has made a significant contribution to a major new United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report examining how the world must respond as global temperatures move beyond the 1.5°C warming threshold.

The recently released report, Limiting Overshoot: Navigating exceedance of 1.5°C and pathways towards return, brings together international expertise in climate science, adaptation, mitigation, governance and sustainable development to examine what happens when global warming exceeds 1.5°C and what must be done to limit the magnitude and duration of that overshoot.

Professor Maharaj, an Adjunct Professor at The University of Fiji and Science Lead at its Ecological and Climate Crises Legal Institute (ECCLI), was one of three Lead Authors of Chapter 4 of the report, which focuses on adaptation under climate overshoot.

She was also the sole author of the report’s focused assessment on sea-level rise and the adaptation challenge facing Small Island Developing States (SIDS), giving her contribution particular significance for Fiji and the wider Pacific.

UniFiji Vice-Chancellor Professor Shaista Shameem said Professor Maharaj’s contribution demonstrated the University’s growing international presence in climate research and the importance of Pacific expertise in global discussions on the climate crisis.

“We are obviously out there internationally in this space and grateful for such high level representation by our Adjunct Professor Maharaj who is world renowned for her science and climate crisis work.”

She also co-authored the report’s section on governance, legitimacy and equity, authored its focused assessment on species redistribution and the implications for protected areas, and is listed among members of the report’s Scientific Advisory Board.

The scale of Professor Maharaj’s involvement places University of Fiji expertise within an international assessment dealing with one of the most pressing questions now facing global climate policy, how countries should respond if warming exceeds the 1.5°C target while continuing efforts to bring temperatures back down.

The report says global action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions has not been fast enough to avoid crossing 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, with exceedance now expected within the next few years. Even an optimistic scenario based on full implementation of current national climate plans and additional net-zero commitments places expected peak warming at around 1.8°C.

Professor Maharaj said one of the report’s most important messages was that the way countries approach climate adaptation would itself have to change.

She said adaptation across the world, particularly in vulnerable regions such as small islands, remained fragmented and inadequate, with much of the work still concentrated on planning rather than implementation.

Many existing adaptation strategies had also been developed around past and present climate conditions, rather than conditions that could emerge as temperatures exceed 1.5°C, reach a peak and potentially decline.

Professor Maharaj said this would require the recalibration of existing adaptation plans, moving away from fixed and often reactive strategies towards anticipatory and flexible approaches capable of adjusting as climate risks and conditions evolve.

“The danger this report exposes is not overshoot alone but the trap of responding to it in a crisis by crisis manner,” Professor Maharaj said.

“Adaptation takes decades to build, so overshoot-calibrated plans must be designed and implemented now, ahead of impacts.”

“Reactive spending drains mitigation and adaptation, deepening overshoot and feeding the next crisis. Breaking this cycle requires anticipatory action, and political will.”

The report supports this concern, finding that where proactive adaptation is inadequate, scarce financial and institutional resources can be repeatedly diverted towards responding to climate disasters rather than invested in longer-term adaptation, mitigation and development.

It notes that this problem is already evident in SIDS, where repeated disaster recovery can reduce the resources available to build long-term resilience despite these countries contributing comparatively little to global emissions.

Professor Maharaj’s work on sea-level rise also highlights why the report has particular significance for Fiji and other Pacific Island countries.

The report warns that sea-level rise for SIDS is not simply a future issue of islands eventually becoming submerged. Loss of habitability can occur much earlier through increasingly frequent flooding, saltwater intrusion into freshwater and farmland, damage to coastal ecosystems and growing pressure on infrastructure and livelihoods.

It notes that most Pacific islands have more than half of their infrastructure within 500 metres of the coast, adding that even higher-elevation islands such as Fiji remain exposed because substantial infrastructure and development are located near shorelines.

A further five to 10 centimetres of sea-level rise, expected roughly between 2030 and 2050, could double the frequency of flooding across much of the tropical Pacific and Indian Ocean.

The report also warns that sea levels will continue rising for centuries to millennia even if global temperatures eventually return to 1.5°C, reinforcing the need for adaptation plans capable of responding to long-term and changing conditions.

UNEP identifies an “overshoot, peak and decline” pathway as the best remaining option, limiting how high temperatures rise above 1.5°C and how long they remain there, while rapidly reducing emissions, strengthening adaptation and ultimately working to bring temperatures back down.

UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen has warned that there are no good outcomes from remaining above 1.5°C, stressing that emissions reductions must be pursued alongside stronger resilience and adaptation.

The report makes clear that exceeding 1.5°C does not mean the international community should abandon the Paris Agreement temperature goal. Instead, every fraction of a degree of warming avoided and every year by which overshoot is shortened can reduce the loss of lives, damage to ecosystems and economic costs.

Professor Maharaj’s involvement represents a significant contribution by The University of Fiji to this international body of work and helps ensure that the vulnerabilities, experiences and long-term interests of Small Island Developing States are represented as governments and institutions consider the next phase of global climate action.

The full UNEP report, Limiting Overshoot: Navigating exceedance of 1.5°C and pathways towards return, is available at:
https://www.unep.org/resources/limiting-overshoot-navigating-exceedance

Notes to Editors
• Limiting Overshoot: Navigating exceedance of 1.5°C and pathways towards return was released by the United Nations Environment Programme on 2 September 2026.

• Professor Shobha Maharaj is an Adjunct Professor at The University of Fiji and Science Lead at the University’s Ecological and Climate Crises Legal Institute (ECCLI).

• Professor Maharaj was a Lead Author of Chapter 4 of the report, authored its focused assessment on sea-level rise and the SIDS adaptation challenge, co-authored its work on governance, legitimacy and equity, authored its focused assessment concerning species redistribution and protected areas, and served on the report’s Scientific Advisory Board.

The University of Fiji and the Government of Vanuatu have discussed opportunities to strengthen their relationship in tertiary education following a visit by Vanuatu’s Minister of Education and Training, Hon. Simil Johnson, to the University’s Saweni Campus.

Hon. Johnson, who was accompanied by a high-level delegation, met with senior University officials and Vanuatu students currently studying at UniFiji.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Shaista Shameem said the visit provided an important opportunity to discuss the welfare of Vanuatu students as well as areas for greater cooperation between the University and the Vanuatu Government.

“We were delighted to welcome the Minister of Education from Vanuatu who visited the Saweni Campus accompanied by his high-level delegation. The Hon. Minister met with students from Vanuatu and discussed their wellbeing with them,” Professor Shameem said.

“He appreciated the assistance given to the students through our Senior Managers’ offices in liaison with the High Commission in Suva. He also discussed ways to strengthen the relationship between his Government and UniFiji, including by supporting the Vanuatu Government’s mission to strengthen tertiary education within Vanuatu.”

The University currently has 145 students from Vanuatu enrolled across a range of programmes, with significant numbers studying Commerce, Medicine and Surgery, Medical Health Science, Environmental Science, Nursing and Science.

Chief Finance, Planning and Development Officer Dr Ravineet Sami said the students were enrolled across a diverse range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes at the University.

“We currently have 145 students from Vanuatu studying at The University of Fiji across a diverse range of programmes. They are an important part of our University community, and we remain committed to supporting them throughout their studies and ensuring they have a positive academic and student experience.”

Vanuatu students are also enrolled in Information Technology, Public Health, Arts, Agricultural Engineering, Earth and Planetary Sciences, Journalism and Media Studies, as well as postgraduate and doctoral programmes.

The visit also provided Hon. Johnson with an opportunity to engage directly with Vanuatu students and hear about their experiences studying in Fiji.

The University of Fiji looks forward to continuing its engagement with the Government of Vanuatu and supporting opportunities that contribute to tertiary education and human resource development in the Pacific.

The University of Fiji’s Executive Director Human Resources, Mr Ashneel Kumar Singh, has been awarded Fellow status by the Australian Human Resource Institute (AHRI), the institute’s highest level of professional recognition and membership.

Mr Singh has received the Fellow Certified Practitioner Human Resources (FCPHR) designation, recognising senior HR professionals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, significant professional achievement, strong ethical standards and a sustained commitment to advancing the profession.

The Fellowship is endorsed by AHRI’s National Certification Council and recognises professional contributions extending beyond an individual’s immediate organisational responsibilities, including mentoring, research, professional workshops and conferences, publications, innovation and the development of other HR professionals.

University of Fiji Vice-Chancellor Professor Shaista Shameem said the recognition was also significant for the University.

“This is a most satisfactory outcome for the University, that not only our academics, but also our corporate cadre, receive accolades from prestigious organizations. This can only improve the overall services to students of the University. The better our administration is, the more our students as the main stakeholders, benefit.”
In confirming the Fellowship, AHRI recognised Mr Singh’s commitment to championing excellence in his current and previous workplaces, as well as his record of achievement and contribution to developing and empowering other HR professionals.

His contribution through the Art of Mentoring Program was particularly acknowledged, with Mr Singh having mentored more than eight HR professionals to support their professional development, confidence, direction and career progression.

AHRI also recognised his contribution to HR thought leadership through seminars, conferences and professional forums, including his participation as a speaker at the AHRI National Convention and Exhibition.

Mr Singh said he was deeply honoured to receive the FCPHR designation.

“This achievement represents a significant milestone in my professional journey, but it is also a moment of reflection and gratitude,” he said.

“No professional achievement is accomplished alone. It is the culmination of many years of learning, challenges, opportunities, experiences and, most importantly, the people who have believed in me, encouraged me and supported me throughout my career in Human Resources.”

Mr Singh acknowledged Professor Shameem for her trust, encouragement and leadership, as well as the University’s Senior Management, colleagues and his Human Resources team for supporting his professional journey.

He also acknowledged his family for their continued encouragement and support.

“While the Fellowship is undoubtedly a proud professional milestone, I also see it as a responsibility to give back to the HR profession,” Mr Singh said.

“It strengthens my commitment to developing future HR leaders, mentoring and supporting emerging professionals, promoting ethical and progressive HR practices, and continuing to learn and contribute to the discipline.”

The recognition reflects Mr Singh’s continued contribution to strengthening professional HR practice, leadership and mentorship within the University and the wider profession.

Artificial intelligence and predictive analytics could significantly transform the way elections are analysed, public policy is developed and universities prepare students for the future, a University of Fiji Press Club session has heard.

The University of Fiji Press Club hosted its August session on Monday, 10 August 2026, at the University of Fiji Suva Central Campus, featuring international governance and strategy specialist Mr David Elbourne.

The session focused on the provocative theme, “What If We Already Know Who Is Going to Win the Election? – The Case for Artificial Intelligence and the High-Value University.”

The presentation examined how artificial intelligence, machine learning and predictive analytics could be applied to journalism, political analysis, government decision-making and education.

UniFiji Vice Chancellor, Professor Shaista Shameem said ‘it was heartening to see the Press Club providing cutting edge opportunities to established journalists and journalism students at the same time, allowing total involvement of both in a symbiotic relationship’.

Mr Elbourne drew on his international experience in Australia and the United Kingdom, as well as his background in data analytics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, digital transformation and organisational strategy.

At the heart of the discussion was the question of whether available historical and contemporary data could be used to develop analytical models capable of forecasting election outcomes. Mr Elbourne explained that such models could examine political party performance, online visibility, controversies, funding and resources, candidate distribution, economic conditions, previous election results and other factors.

However, he stressed that predictive analytics should not be mistaken for certainty. “This model does not remove uncertainty. It measures it,” he said, highlighting the fact that elections remain influenced by factors that cannot be accurately predicted, including voter turnout, vote switching, party alliances, campaign effects, future events and individual voting decisions.

Mr Elbourne said the development of an effective predictive model begins with understanding what is already known and identifying the areas that remain uncertain. By assigning weightings to different factors and combining qualitative and quantitative information, analysts can develop a framework capable of producing probability-based assessments rather than absolute predictions.

He told students that the approach was not limited to elections and could potentially be applied to areas including climate change, economic development and infrastructure planning. “It’s not specifically only to elections,” he explained, noting that the same analytical approach could be adapted across different industries and areas of decision-making.

The presentation also introduced the relationship between predictive analytics, machine learning and artificial intelligence. Mr Elbourne described predictive analytics as part of machine learning, which in turn forms part of the broader field of artificial intelligence. He encouraged students to begin developing their own analytical frameworks and consider how university research and ideas could eventually become intellectual property.

The discussion also raised important questions about the ethical implications of using AI in elections and public life. The University of Fiji opening address noted that while AI can identify patterns, analyse large volumes of information and support evidence-based decision-making, it also raises concerns about data ownership, manipulation, public opinion and democratic participation. “Can we trust what AI tells us? Who controls the data? How do we distinguish information from manipulation?” the university representative asked. For journalism students, the implications are particularly significant.

The session emphasised that the growth of AI does not reduce the importance of journalists but instead places greater responsibility on them to verify information, understand data and exercise ethical judgement. The university noted that future journalists will require not only traditional reporting skills but also data literacy, critical thinking, ethical judgement and the ability to question information produced by technology.

The Press Club was also presented as an important platform for students to engage with issues beyond the classroom. Established as an initiative of the Journalism and Media Studies Programme, the club provides opportunities for students to interact with journalists, policymakers, academics, professionals and community leaders while developing practical knowledge and professional skills.

Mr Elbourne further argued that universities have an important role to play in helping Fiji move beyond simply adopting technologies developed elsewhere. He said universities could become engines of innovation by turning research into intellectual property, intellectual property into industries, and industries into employment, exports and national prosperity. A key message from the session was that data alone has limited value unless it is properly organised, interpreted and transformed into knowledge.

Mr Elbourne explained that the progression from data to information, knowledge and applied intelligence is essential if Fiji is to develop systems capable of supporting more informed decisions. The session concluded with a broader challenge to universities, journalists and students to prepare for a future in which AI will increasingly influence professional and social life.

Rather than viewing artificial intelligence simply as a technological development, the Press Club discussion framed it as an issue involving democracy, journalism, ethics, education, public trust and national development.

For Fiji, the message was clear: artificial intelligence may provide powerful tools for understanding the future, but the quality of the outcome will ultimately depend on the quality of the data, the people interpreting it and the ethical frameworks guiding its use.