News & Events Archives - The University of Fiji

May 15

World Press Freedom Day 2025: Addressing the Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Media Integrity

In recognition of the World Press Freedom Day, the University of Fiji stands in solidarity with journalists, media institutions, and defenders of free expression around the world to affirm the essential role of a free and independent press in democratic societies.

The global theme for this year, “Reporting in the Brave New World – The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media,” calls attention to the transformative influence of AI on journalism, newsroom operations, and the very fabric of press freedom. As technology evolves, so too do the challenges facing media professionals around the world including here in Fiji.

Media plays a vital role in holding governments accountable, thereby shaping the quality of governance and the daily lives of citizens. In Fiji, the rise of artificial intelligence has presented both opportunities and challenges. The unchecked spread of hate speech on social media platforms, incidents of cyberbullying, and online harassment remain pressing concerns. There are growing calls to strengthen legislative frameworks governing digital conduct, particularly the mandate of the Online Safety Commission of Fiji.

A free and independent media is essential to nurturing informed public discourse and safeguarding the principles enshrined in both the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Fiji’s 2013 Constitution. Following the repeal of the Media Act, Fiji’s media landscape is presumed to operate in a more open and democratic space. It is now more important than ever to ensure that news is reported freely, fairly, and without fear or favor. Ethical standards in journalism must be upheld consistently, and media owners and editors bear the responsibility of promoting fair, accurate, and balanced reporting.

Globally, journalists continue to face immense risks. In conflict zones and authoritarian regimes, media professionals endure intimidation, detention, violence and often pay the ultimate price with their lives. The day also stands as a solemn tribute to their courage and sacrifice.

In a proud moment for national media development, the University of Fiji graduated its first cohort of Journalism students in April 2025. Through a balanced curriculum combining theory with practical experience, the University has contributed to strengthening journalism standards in the country. The establishment of Vox Internet Radio Station, an in-house training facility, further equips students with essential radio reporting techniques.

As United Nations Secretary-General H.E. António Guterres aptly stated:

“Press freedom is the backbone of accountability, justice, equality and human rights.”

The University of Fiji reaffirms its commitment to media freedom and responsible journalism, and celebrates the ongoing resilience and role of the media in shaping a just and democratic society.

May 15

Professor Ifereimi Waqainabete Represents Pacific Islands Surgical Association and University of Fiji at Prestigious RACS Conference

Professor Ifereimi Waqainabete, President of the Pacific Islands Surgical Association (PISA), proudly represented both PISA and the University of Fiji at the recent Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) Annual Scientific Conference (ASC), one of the most prestigious gatherings in the field of surgery in the region.

PISA, which marks its 25th anniversary this year, was originally established with the support of RACS and comprises members from across the Pacific—many of whom are graduates of the Master of Medicine in Surgery programs offered by the University of Papua New Guinea and the Fiji National University.

For the past three consecutive years, Professor Waqainabete has been a prominent voice for the Pacific at the ASC, where he has delivered invited presentations and participated in expert panels on critical issues related to surgery and global health. His contributions have continuously highlighted the role of the University of Fiji in advancing surgical education and regional health outcomes.

The Pacific Islands Surgical Association is also preparing for its own conference in October this year. This event will bring together surgeons from across the Pacific, Australasia, and beyond—providing a unique platform for academic exchange and professional collaboration. The University of Fiji sees this as a valuable opportunity to further strengthen its engagement with regional medical professionals and promote innovation in surgical care.

The Vice Chancellor of UniFiji Professor Shaista Shameem said that Professor Waqainabete’s contributions to such forums shows the University’s leading role as a think tank and advocacy in the varied medical fields in Fiji and the region, with far reaching influence due to the seniority of its lecturers in medicine and health science.

May 13

Fiji’s Climate Voice at the Global Table: Adjunct Professor Shobha Maharaj Co-Authors Landmark Study on Exceeding 1.5°C Warming

A new international climate study co-authored by the University of Fiji’s Adjunct Professor Shobha Maharaj warns that small island nations like Fiji are dangerously unprepared for a future where global warming exceeds 1.5°C, a scenario that is now more likely than ever.

Published in the Annual Review of Environment and Resources, the paper titled “Overshoot: A Conceptual Review of Exceeding and Returning to Global Warming of 1.5°C” calls for urgent, strategic adaptation planning in regions most at risk.

The research highlights that adaptation plans built around the assumption that the 1.5°C warming cap will be maintained are outdated and inadequate, especially for Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

Adjunct Professor Maharaj, Science Lead at the University of Fiji’s Ecological and Climate Crises Legal Institute (ECCLI), is also a Lead Author of the IPCC’s AR6 Working Group II and a contributor to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) climate ruling, an international legal milestone that validated the scientific realities faced by SIDS.

“Fiji and other Pacific nations cannot afford to plan for a climate scenario that assumes the 1.5°C ceiling will hold,” said Professor Maharaj. “Overshoot is already happening. We need to shift our mindset from planning to doing and we need to do it strategically.”

“The risk is not only that we overshoot 1.5°C, but that we are unprepared when we do. If we continue implementing adaptation plans based on outdated assumptions, we will fall further behind just when we need to act most urgently.”

The study emphasizes that overshooting 1.5°C will increase the frequency and intensity of climate-related disasters. For nations like Fiji, this could mean irreversible damage to coastal ecosystems, widespread disruption to food and water security, and the forced relocation of entire communities. The paper critiques the current global approach to adaptation, noting that most efforts remain reactive, underfunded, and mismatched with the severity of emerging climate realities.

Professor Maharaj stated that adaptation strategies in the Pacific must evolve to become more anticipatory and integrated. This involves moving beyond planning documents to real implementation solutions that are flexible, scalable, and responsive to more extreme warming scenarios.

“Adaptation efforts in the Pacific are mostly reactive, under-resourced, and based on outdated climate assumptions,” she said. “We must begin developing proactive, flexible plans that account for higher levels of warming. Without this shift, even well-intentioned actions will fall short.”

“We must ensure that what we implement today will still be effective tomorrow when warming levels could be well beyond 1.5°C. Fiji has the opportunity to lead the Pacific in this transformation.”

In response to this challenge, the University of Fiji through ECCLI is exploring the establishment of a regional adaptation think tank.

The initiative aims to convene policymakers, researchers, and development partners across the Pacific to co-design strategies that are informed by science, sensitive to local realities, and built for long-term climate resilience.

The Vice Chancellor Professor Shaista Shameem said the establishment of UniFiji’s ECCLI with Adjunct Professor Shobha Maharaj leading the assessment of climate crises in Fiji and the region meant that the University of Fiji was well-placed to provide much needed value to the work being done regionally on climate mitigation and adaptation for the good of future generations of Pacific peoples.

May 13

UniFiji says any review of the Statistics Act 1961 must be comprehensive and as objective as possible due to Fiji’s social complexity

In making submissions to the Department of Statistics on the review of the now outdated Statistics Act, the University of Fiji says that any legislative review must employ an appropriate methodology based both on science and a keen understanding of the social milieu of Fiji.

Vice Chancellor, Professor Shaista Shameem emphasized that the aim behind collection of data for statistical analysis by the government or any stakeholder should be scientifically robust and objective so that policy development is based on reality rather than assumptions and presumptions about our complex Fijian society.

The University made a total of 8 recommendations for the Statistics Department to include in its current revision of the Act. These are as follows:

the need for an accurate interpretation section,
the role of the Bureau of Statistics to put in place transparent quality assurance benchmarks on data collection and information techniques at all stages of the process to reduce inconsistencies in the collection of data, and to enhance digital data storage with better back-up facilities to prevent data theft,
to include collection of environmental data in the duties of the Government Statistician,
to use gender neutral language in the collection of data in accordance with modern practice and Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) requirements,
the task of the (new proposed) Statistics Advisory Committee to also advise on any gaps in the statistical services provided so that the Bureau can improve on its services,
to include an officer from the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change on the proposed Statistics Advisory Committee,
to amend the First Schedule to include underdevelopment, well-being, disability, crime and justice, gender and sex, sexual orientation, and technology and digitalization competency on the list of items for data collection, and
to include capacity for a continually updated index structure for the First Schedule of the revised legislation.

Professor Shameem said that the revision of the Act gave the Bureau an opportunity to get things right so that anyone could obtain an accurate picture of the economic, social, technological or any other attribute of the demographics of the country. People needed to obtain information from policy makers without having to decipher whether the data collection could be tainted or biased in any way. She said that the people of Fiji had the constitutional right to receive information based on scientific methods of data collection so that they could make wise decisions for themselves and their families.

Similarly, policy makers could draft sustainable policy only if the data they based their policies and law on was accurately collected and analysed and founded on objectivity and authenticity from the start, she said.

May 13

The University of Fiji Launches 9-Aside Soccer Competition Programme

The University of Fiji launched its 9-aside soccer competition programme yesterday afternoon with the aim to challenge business houses and tertiary institutions in the West to professional level.

Three of UniFiji’s student players are already in professional games as members of Ba, Lautoka, and Rakiraki clubs.

Altogether, the University signed up seven student and one staff team for the series, which will run for two weeks from today. The best players will be selected for the University of Fiji Football Club, which will then challenge other professional teams in the Western Division.

At the opening ceremony today, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Shaista Shameem, said that the University encouraged its staff and students to take active part in sports for their well-being as well as to foster agility and strategy in University work. The University had partnered with the Student Association to identify the best players for the University Football Club. The Association had also provided initial sponsorship, along with some business houses. The first heats will determine who the best players were, she said.

The University Football Club Organizing Committee had also sought advice from Ba Coach, Dr Diva Singh, who was a member of the University Council and an alumnus of the University’s Umanand Prasad School of Medicine and Health Sciences.

Organizing Committee members Naveel Swamy and Dipesh Kumar said the first game was an exciting showdown between two student teams, showcasing excellent skill, coordination, and sportsmanship.

The pool of matches had sett a high bar for the rest of the tournament. They added that the competition not only promotes athletic excellence but also builds camaraderie, discipline, and school spirit among students and staff.

The University of Fiji looks forward to strengthening its presence in regional football through this initiative and invites the wider community to support and attend the matches over the next two weeks.