aniket, Author at The University of Fiji

May 18

Emerging from the Shadows: Hefrani Barnes’ First Solo Exhibition ‘Emergent’ Brings Pacific Art into the Light

SUVA, Fiji – On the evening of 14 May 2026, the University of Fiji’s Suva Central Campus hosted Emergent, the first solo exhibition of young local Fijian artist Hefrani Barnes. The event served as both a cultural milestone and a platform for urgent social commentary, expressed through black sand, tapa, and vivid colour. The exhibition’s title, derived from the Latin emergere-to bring forth, to bring to light-reflects Barnes’ personal and artistic journey.

Living with epilepsy, the artist has produced twenty works that address climate disasters, fuel crises, bodily autonomy, and regional conflict. “Her storytelling stood out to me,” said Letila Mitchell, former director of the Fiji Arts Council, founder of the Pacific Arts Alliance, and chief guest of the evening. “It wasn’t just art meant to pretty up someone’s wall. Each of her pieces was a conversation about a real issue.” Mitchell noted the significance of the moment for a young artist from Fiji, where few practitioners exist in the contemporary arts space. “It’s a very hard career to undertake,” she added. “But we carry knowledge and stories from one generation to the next.” Barnes’ mother, Maureen Penjueli, spoke of the personal cost behind the collection. “She suffers from epilepsy, and she has delivered this entire twenty-plus collection through blood, sweat and tears,” Penjueli said. “This is a very important moment for her and her career.” She also called on parents to support children pursuing creative paths. “The arts doesn’t get much support in Fiji through our schooling system. People tend to look down at arts as not a pathway for a career.

But for children with deep love and passion, parents must be there to journey with them.” Ilana Burness, Campus Coordinator for the University of Fiji’s Suva Central Campus, explained the institution’s role in hosting the exhibition. “Art allows people to question, to reimagine, and to create meaning beyond traditional academic frameworks,” she said. “University art spaces can become cultural incubators. They create visibility for local artists outside of commercial galleries and build a professional arts ecosystem.” Artist-in-residence Mason Lee also acknowledged the University’s support for local artists and said creative talent in Fiji often goes unrecognised. “University of Fiji has changed that,” Lee said. “The support and belief they have given me has created a space where artists can lead and showcase their work.” Lee added that art remains deeply connected to culture, identity and storytelling. “Culture, tradition and identity are influenced by art,” he said. “Creation is art and it mirrors society in various forms.” The exhibition was funded by the Pacific Island Feminists Alliance for Climate Justice (PIFa4CJ) in partnership with the University of Fiji. Barnes’ work deliberately juxtaposes everyday materials-black sand from Wailoaloa Beach in Nadi, coconut husk, bark-with culturally significant items such as tapa, kuta, and ‘apei mats. The exhibition notes ask: “What is of common value to all? Justice, hope, love, and a duty of care for the living and non-living.” Hon. Lynda Tabuya, Minister for Information, Environment and Climate Change, attended the exhibition and described a personal connection to the artist. “I’ve known Hefrani since she was born,” Tabuya said. “For UniFiji to bring her into the space of academia shows that academia is not just limited to books and articles. It is also the expression of art-non-verbal, pictorial, and vital.” Tabuya was particularly struck by the thematic range of the works. “She covered the fuel crisis, evacuations during climate disasters, her own ethnicity, and how to recycle our own fabric, natural sinews, tapa, and mats,” she said. “And the colours capture who we Fijians are. We are happy people, and we need to reflect that.” The Minister further challenged the arts to reclaim digital spaces. “There is so much darkness on social media-cyberbullying, negativity. We need to bring beauty and colour back into that dark space.” Barnes, though unable to attend in person, shared her perspective through the program.

When asked about her inspirations, she stated: “Faith, nature, human emotions, awareness, culture and tradition. These guide my path as an artist.” On the challenges facing young Fijian artists, she responded simply: “Lack of support to be recognised.” Her advice to students was direct: “Think twice. Or if you’re bold enough, take up the role and make it count.” The evening’s program, led by Master of Ceremonies Lawrence Singh, included a welcome address, keynote remarks by Ilana Burness, and a tribute from Letila Mitchell on female perspectives in radical and experimental art forms. As Mitchell concluded: “Art carries our identity. It’s a positive way of showing who we are without discriminating against others. It connects cultures together.” On a warm evening in Suva, Hefrani Barnes’ Emergent did exactly that-bringing forth, into the light, what had long been submerged.

Apr 30

University of Fiji Celebrates World Jazz Day with 24-Hour Vox Radio Marathon

The University of Fiji started its International Jazz Day celebration at 8 am today with the classic ‘Fly Me To The Moon’ by Frank Sinatra and then continued with other jazz classics for 24 hours jazzathon. The jazzathon was hosted by the University’s Vox Radio with Station Manager Lawrence Singh leading the studio team. Live hosts were Professor Shaista Shameem and the University’s Music Director Sailasa Tora, formerly of Fiji’s well known band Black Rose.

Interspersed with the music were interviews with prominent Fijian musicians, such as Laisa Vulakoro, Ken Janson, Tom Mawi, and Eni Kumar, our music national icons and treasures. All said their music life began with and was heavily influenced by the jazz greats.

Vice Chancellor Professor Shaista Shameem said that the UNESCO Director General had sent the University an encouraging message of support since International Jazz Day was designated by UNESCO as a vehicle of education overcoming boundaries across the world.

The Vox Radio station had dedicated the day to international jazz since jazz music was universal and all music traditions had adapted it for their own audiences. Thus musicians in India, Arabia, Japan, Latin America, and just about every country had jazz musicians who improvised with jazz to suit their own audiences, Professor Shameem said. The Vox Studio played the entire repertoire of jazz sounds over the 24 hour period with the hosts addressing the history of jazz.

She said that jazz is important for Fiji too as local musicians had taken the opportunity to incorporate jazz rhythms into our own unique music style, she said.

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Apr 27

The University of Fiji will celebrate International Jazz Day with 24-Hour Vox Populi Radio Marathon

The University of Fiji will join the global celebration of World Jazz Day on 30 April 2026 with a special 24-hour jazz marathon on its campus radio station, Vox Populi, highlighting the unifying power of music and the importance of cultural expression in education.

Fiji’s well-known musicians appearing during the 24 hour event are Laisa Vulakoro, Ken Jensen, Tom Mawi, Eni Kumar and Sailasa Tora, among other jazz artists. The musicians will discuss the importance of jazz music to their own careers.

International Jazz Day was designated by UNESCO in 2011 to recognize jazz as a force for peace, intercultural dialogue and cooperation among people across the world. On 30th April every year, jazz musicians celebrate the role of jazz in promoting mutual understanding, diversity, respect for human rights and freedom of expression.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Shaista Shameem will host the 24-hour marathon event with the University’s Music Director Sailasa Tora and Vox Station Manager, Lawrence Singh, both established artists and music producers in their own right.

“Jazz music arose on the slave plantations, emerging from the musical traditions of enslaved Africans in the American South, fusing African rhythms, work songs, and spirituals with European harmonic structures. Developed as a means of survival and expression under oppression, these forms evolved into blues and ragtime, ultimately merging in New Orleans to create jazz”, she said. “Jazz is more

than music, it is about protest in a way that kept the scrutiny of rebellion under cover, at the same time sending the stark message of painful experiences but also hope and a renaissance”.

Professor Shameem said that UNESCO’s International Jazz Day shows the strong link between the message of jazz music and education. The University felt that this link should encourage all educational institutions in Fiji to use jazz music as a vehicle for positive change in the national interest. Hence the University had invited leading musicians in Fiji to help celebrate the day in honour of jazz musicians past and present and to encourage young musicians to appreciate jazz for its capacity to influence societal transformation for the good of all, she said.

Professor Shameem noted that the University had recently launched its own music album as part of its 21st anniversary celebrations, reaffirming the institution’s commitment to the arts, creativity and cultural development as part of holistic education offered at the University of Fiji. The album was released through Vox Radio and Global Digital platforms.

To mark International Jazz Day, Vox Radio will feature a full 24 hours of jazz programming, starting 8 am Thursday 30th April, alongside live interviews with Professor Shameem, Sailasa Tora and prominent Fiji musicians, showcasing local talent and celebrating the influence of jazz in Fiji.

Listeners can tune in and listen live on:
https://onlineradiobox.com/fj/thevoxpopuliunifijicampus/

Apr 21

University of Fiji Deepens Fiji-China Partnership Through Nishan Book House Plaque Hand-Over

The University of Fiji today marked a significant milestone in its growing international engagement with China through the official plaque hand-over ceremony for the Nishan Book House and Beautiful China Series Project at the University’s Samabula Campus.

Speaking at the ceremony, Pro-Chancellor Pt. Bhuwan Dutt said the occasion represented far more than the presentation of plaques, describing it as a symbol of friendship, collaboration and mutual understanding between Fiji and China.

“This plaque hand-over event is not only an exchange but signifies more than just a symbol. It embodies the spirit of collaboration, friendship, shared vision and values of understanding between our two institutions,” he said.

He said the Nishan Book House and Beautiful China Series Project would enrich the University’s academic environment by providing students, staff and researchers with greater access to Chinese literature, cultural heritage, history and educational resources.

The Pro-Chancellor said the partnership would also create opportunities for deeper educational cooperation, intercultural dialogue and future collaboration in areas of shared interest.

“As we share folklore and traditions in this sphere, we also hope that it will go beyond geographical boundaries, serving as a bridge to foster friendship between the people of China, Fiji and our neighbouring Pacific Islands,” he said.

The ceremony was attended by Mr. Song Peitao, Vice President of the Liaocheng People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, accompanying delegates from Liaocheng City, representatives of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Fiji, University leadership, staff and invited guests.

Mr. Song Peitao said the visit reflected the strong friendship between China and Fiji and the importance of continued people-to-people exchanges, educational links and mutual respect.

He noted that the ceremony also formed part of the 2026 China-Pacific Island Countries Climate Action Cooperation Exchange Week, which promotes dialogue and cooperation between China and Pacific Island countries.

Mr. Song said the Nishan Book House was an international cultural initiative aimed at sharing traditional Chinese culture and heritage with overseas communities.

He added that the Beautiful China Series featured publications highlighting Chinese heritage, traditional arts and cultural practices, including examples of intangible cultural heritage, and that additional books would be provided to further enrich the collection at the University.

He thanked the University of Fiji for its warm hospitality and expressed hope for deeper cooperation and enduring friendship in the years ahead.

This partnership of the University of Fiji aligns with its commitment to internationalisation, academic excellence and preparing globally aware graduates through meaningful global engagement.

Apr 21

University of Fiji Marks International Mother Earth Day with Call for Climate Action

The University of Fiji marks the important occasion of International Mother Earth Day, observed globally on April 22nd each year, as a reminder of the urgent need to protect and preserve the environment. The day highlights the importance of environmental conservation and encourages collective action to safeguard ecosystems and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come.

Vice-Chancellor of the University of Fiji, Shaista Shameen emphasized the importance of collective responsibility in addressing environmental challenges.

‘’For Fijians, the ocean, the sky and the land are deeply connected to identity, culture and future prosperity. Mother Earth sustains the soil that grows food, the reefs that support fisheries and the forests that protect watersheds, making environmental protection essential for both livelihoods and survival,’’ she said.

‘’Fiji and the Pacific Islands are already witnessing the impacts of environmental change. Rising sea levels threaten coastal communities, while increasingly powerful cyclones test the resilience of island nations. These challenges highlight the need for urgent climate action and sustainable environmental management’’, she said.

The day was officially recognized by the United Nations in 2009, highlighting the growing urgency of environmental issues worldwide. From climate change and deforestation to pollution and biodiversity loss, the global community continues to face significant environmental challenges that require immediate and coordinated action.

The University encourages youths, communities, government agencies, schools and universities to work together to reduce carbon footprints, preserve natural resources and promote sustainability in all aspects of life. With natural disasters becoming more frequent and severe, the call to end humanity’s conflict with nature has never been more critical.

The University also continues to promote awareness through research and storytelling. In 2021, it produced the documentary Drua, which captured multidisciplinary research demonstrating how traditional Indigenous knowledge helps communities mitigate and adapt to climate crises in the villages of Veiseisei, Lauwaki and Namoli.

This year’s theme for International Mother Earth Day, “Our Power, Our Planet,” calls for tripling global clean electricity generation by 2030, emphasizing the role of renewable energy in combating climate change.

The University of Fiji reminds citizens that the right to a clean and safe environment is protected under the Constitution of Fiji 2013, and with that right comes a responsibility to protect the planet. As there is no second Earth, the University calls on everyone to act now to safeguard the environment and ensure a sustainable future for all.