In celebration of World Environment Day 2025, the University of Fiji joined Airports Fiji Limited (AFL) this morning to support the global call to action under this year’s theme, “Ending Plastic Pollution.”
Mrs. Sainiana Radrodro, Senior Lecturer at the Justice Devendra Pathik School of Law at UniFiji, delivered a compelling keynote address, emphasizing the shared responsibility of corporations, communities, and institutions in promoting sustainable practices.
Mrs. Radrodro commended AFL’s proactive steps toward achieving Fiji’s national target of Net Zero emissions by 2050.
“It is heartwarming to see AFL’s environmental targets promoting green spaces and carbon reduction across its operations,” she stated, applauding AFL’s Carbon Management Policy and environmental initiatives at Fiji’s airports.
Drawing from her experience in law, infrastructure, and international development, Mrs. Radrodro emphasized that legal compliance should be seen as the floor, not the ceiling for environmental responsibility.
“True corporate responsibility demands more,” she stated, urging AFL and other public entities to go beyond legal obligations and lead with bold, moral commitment to sustainability.
She encouraged AFL to consider practical actions such as phasing out single-use plastics in food and retail concessions, adopting eco-friendly procurement policies and using airport signage and digital media for environmental education.
“Airports are not just transport hubs; they are powerful environmental actors,” Mrs. Radrodro said, emphasizing the potential for influence through partnerships with academia, NGOs, and government.
Highlighting the University of Fiji’s own commitment to environmental advocacy, she noted its partnership with the Pacific Recycling Foundation and the launch of the Ecological and Climate Crises Legal Institute (ECCLI), a multidisciplinary hub driving science-law collaboration on sustainability.
“Plastic pollution is not just an environmental issue, it is a threat to ecosystems, marine life, and public health,” she warned, referencing microplastic contamination and the urgent need for global cooperation, including the ongoing UN negotiations for a Global Plastic Pollution Treaty supported by over 200 countries.
She concluded by challenging all sectors to act collectively and be committed to the idea of environmental responsibility.
The University of Fiji has joined the global community in commemorating World Environment Day today, June 5, reinforcing its commitment to environmental protection and sustainability.
This year’s theme, “Beat Plastic Pollution,” echoes strongly with the University’s ongoing initiatives to address the rising environmental threat posed by plastic waste.
Vice-Chancellor of the University of Fiji, Professor Shaista Shameem stated that as a higher education institution deeply rooted in the Pacific, the University recognizes the environmental vulnerability of island nations like Fiji.
She emphasized that plastic waste continues to increase across land and sea, degrading ecosystems and threatening biodiversity, and in line with UniFiji’s Strategic Plan (2022–2026), the University is committed to advancing environmental consciousness through education, partnerships, and policy advocacy.
Professor Shameem urged the University Community to think about their plastic use in keeping with the theme for World Environment Day 2025.
“It is impossible for us to think about life without plastic, but we have to, if we want the world to address plastic waste seriously” she said.
“Otherwise there are vast islands of plastic waste floating in the ocean, trapping marine life, poisoning our seas and causing havoc to our food sources”.
She further highlighted that the University has established the Ecological and Climate Crises Legal Institute (ECCLI), a pioneering interdisciplinary body that brings together scientific knowledge and legal tools to advocate for long-term environmental resilience.
ECCLI represents UniFiji’s vision of a future-ready academic platform that educates and equips the next generation of Pacific leaders.
Another key initiative implemented by the University is its partnership with the Pacific Recycling Foundation, which supports the collection of recyclables from both Saweni and Samabula Campuses.
The collaboration is an important step towards cultivating a cleaner and healthier learning environment while encouraging responsible behavior among students and staff.
She stated that this partnership with the Pacific Recycling Foundation helps contribute meaningfully to the economy and reduce our environmental footprint.
Professor Shameem said that while many companies undertook to recycle plastic waste, the reality was that there was very little proof that recycling was happening to the extent needed.
She urged staff and students of the University to avoid buying water in plastic bottles unless they could see the evidence of recycling.
The University was looking into ways to eliminate plastics from its campuses if it could, she said.
On and international level, support is growing for the proposed Global Plastic Pollution Treaty, currently being negotiated by the United Nations and backed by more than 200 countries.
The University of Fiji stands in support of such international efforts and pledges to align its local actions with global sustainability goals.
In a remarkable celebration of academic excellence, the University of Fiji at Saweni Campus hosted a transformative Afternoon Coffee Seminar for PhD and Master’s scholars on Wednesday, 28th May 2025. The Main Hall buzzed with intellectual energy as PhD scholars gathered to draw inspiration and gain valuable insights from distinguished academics and experienced researchers.
Vice Chancellor Professor Shaista Shameem set an inspiring tone, illuminating the path of scholarly inquiry through powerful “why” and “how” questions. Her passionate advocacy for rigorous literature reviews and the profound value of doctoral qualifications resonated deeply with attendees, reinforcing the University’s unwavering commitment to nurturing tomorrow’s thought leaders.
Professor Kishor Meher, Chair of the Post Graduate Committee, captivated the audience with his compelling address on “The Journey to Completion.” He highlighted that this seminar marks the beginning of continuous learning through conducting research seminars with experts. His visionary strategies for navigating research challenges—from structured flexibility to building vibrant research communities—offered a beacon of hope to scholars at every stage. He proudly showcased the University’s cutting-edge research infrastructure, including ProQuest and Wiley databases, and training on referencing managers for speeding up literature review—empowering students to reach new heights of academic achievement.
Distinguished guest Professor Gokulananda Patel from Birla Institute of Management Technology (BIMTECH), India, delivered a thought-provoking presentation on advisor selection, emphasizing this pivotal relationship as a cornerstone of research success. The seminar gained further depth through powerful testimonials from fellow PhD scholars at various stages and a dynamic question-and-answer session where researchers addressed practical challenges: Dr. Amar Singh on data integrity, Mohammed Riaz Azam on overcoming research obstacles, and Sheik Tanzil on the transformative power of mentorship.
As Master of Ceremony, Mohammed Riaz Azam concluded with heartfelt appreciation to the organizers, Registrar’s office, Facilities, IT, and other departments for their seamless support. Attendees continued vibrant discussions over refreshments, with this landmark event kindling a renewed passion for scholarly pursuit at the University of Fiji.
The University of Fiji joins the nation in commemorating Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna Day, acknowledging the enduring contributions of one of Fiji’s most distinguished national figures mainly as a legacy for future leaders.
In a statement marking the day, University of Fiji Vice-Chancellor Professor Shaista Shameem reflected on Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna’s lifelong dedication to public service and duty.
“There are some important lessons to be learnt from the legacy of Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna, the most important of which, for present and future leadership, is selfless duty in the service of others”, she said.
Professor Shameem said that Ratu Sukuna was multi-skilled, with achievements that spanned across education, law, governance, and military service, including becoming the first iTaukei university graduate, serving in World War I despite the obstacles he faced, and, later, shaping governance and bureaucracy in colonial Fiji. She said Ratu Sukuna was a thinker who was both charismatic and humble.
She said it was undoubtedly his youthful experiences in Fiji that had shaped Ratu Sukuna which allowed him to find opportunities despite the hardships he faced during his overseas sojourns, including discrimination and impoverishment, judging by the articulate letters he wrote home.
The University of Fiji recognized the human values attributes of Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna which resonates with the University’s own philosophy of education even now, despite the passage of time, Professor Shameem said.
She said the significance of Ratu Sukuna Day was a reminder to the University staff and students of the value of honest leadership in national life.
