Category: News & Events

The University of Fiji is proud to announce that Dr. Mohini Devi has been internationally recognised by the Commonwealth Council for Educational Administration and Management (CCEAM) for her outstanding contribution to educational leadership and youth empowerment across the Pacific.

Dr. Devi received the award from Dr. Venesser Fernandes, Chair of the CCEAM Youth Leadership Special Interest Group (SIG) from Monash University, Australia. The presentation was made in recognition of Dr. Devi’s exceptional work with the CCEAM Fiji Chapter, which has successfully elevated Fiji’s voice and visibility in the global education leadership community.

Vice-Chancellor, Professor Shaista Shameem, commended Dr. Devi for her achievement, describing it as a moment of pride for the entire university community and a reflection of UniFiji’s growing international presence.

Professor Shameem said that in an era where most people are confused about the attributes of true leadership that can take a community or nation forward, to have a University of Fiji female academic recognised internationally for her leadership in higher education was a recognition also of the University of Fiji’s exemplary academic record.

Dr. Devi expressed that the honour represents more than just a personal achievement, it reflects the collective effort of her colleagues, mentors, and communities who share a vision for advancing youth leadership and inclusive education.

“This acknowledgment reflects not only my personal effort but also the collective commitment of colleagues, mentors, and communities who share a common vision for advancing youth leadership across the Commonwealth,” she said.

“It reinforces that whether we are working in policy, educational leadership, or academic research, we all contribute to a larger mission which is building education systems that prepare our young people not only for employment but for engaged, ethical, and compassionate citizenship.”

Through her involvement with the CCEAM Fiji Chapter, Dr. Devi has coordinated several youth leadership initiatives, including International Youth Leadership Seminars, CCEAM Youth Leadership Symposiums, and Essay Competitions for emerging youth leaders. Her work has also focused on mentoring young people to lead community-based projects that address major issues such as food insecurity, climate change, and peacebuilding.

“Food insecurity, climate change, and peace are deeply associated challenges that greatly impact the lives and futures of young people in Fiji and across the Pacific,” Dr. Devi said.

“Empowering them to engage with these issues means investing in a future where Pacific communities are resilient, equitable, and hopeful.”

Dr. Devi emphasised that this international recognition highlights Fiji’s leadership in championing youth-focused educational reform and ethical leadership development across the Commonwealth.

She also noted the vital partnership between The University of Fiji and international organisations like CCEAM, which together can build stronger global networks that nurture innovation, resilience, and inclusivity among young leaders.

“The University of Fiji provides a vital local context by offering culturally relevant education, research expertise, and community connections that ensure leadership programmes are grounded in the realities of Fijian youth,” she explained.

She highlighted that international partners like CCEAM bring broader resources, global networks, and opportunities for capacity building and by working together, we can foster youth leadership that benefits Fiji, the Pacific, and the wider world.

The University of Fiji is proud to announce that Dr Ramendra Prasad, Associate Professor and the Head of the Science Department at the School of Science and Technology has once again been recognised in the World’s Top 2% Scientists List for 2025, compiled by Stanford University in partnership with Elsevier.

This marks the third consecutive year that Professor Ramen’s name has been featured, a remarkable achievement that highlights his ongoing contribution to cutting-edge research in Enabling & Strategic Technologies, particularly Energy and Environmental Engineering.

The list, widely regarded as one of the most prestigious global rankings of researchers, is based on the citation impact of scientists across diverse disciplines.

Vice-Chancellor of the University of Fiji, Professor Shaista Shameem, congratulated Professor Prasad highlighting the importance of this recognition.

“This recognition for Associate Professor Prasad is once again an accolade for him professionally and for the University of Fiji’s extending repertoire of achievements in the intellectual arena.”

She said the University, since its Higher Education Commission Review in 2024, had moved firmly towards ensuring that it’s main concentration, as a research active University, was to record high level publications including through its own University of Fiji Press. Professor Prasad was one of UniFiji’s preeminent scholars; his work focused on the very significant area of science, especially environmental science and, as such he was a mentor for early career academics at the University.

Reflecting on the recognition, Professor Prasad said that being ranked among the World’s Top 2% Scientists for the third consecutive year is both humbling and motivating.

“It is a personal honour and a professional validation of the research I lead and contribute to, which has global relevance and impact. This recognition affirms years of persistence, collaboration, and dedication to advancing knowledge while addressing real-world challenges in renewable energy and environmental sustainability.”

Professor Prasad’s research spans areas such as machine learning and AI applications for renewable energy forecasting, waste-to-energy solutions tailored for Pacific contexts, and environmental monitoring systems for air, water, and flood forecasting. His work bridges theory and practice, ensuring real-world impact and international visibility.

Professor Prasad emphasised that the honour reflects not only individual effort but also UniFiji’s growing research culture:

“This recognition highlights UniFiji’s capacity to produce research of international calibre despite limited resources. It strengthens our reputation as a Pacific hub for renewable energy, climate resilience, and environmental engineering research.”

Through programmes such as the MSc in Renewable Energy Management, MSc in Environmental Science, and PhD pathways, UniFiji continues to cultivate the next generation of scientists and innovators.

He noted the importance of inspiring students and young researchers and mentioned that this achievement illustrates that impactful global recognition is possible from Fiji.

“Several of my MSc students are already working on applied research in solar, hydropower, biogas, and offshore wind, highly relevant to regional sustainability. Seeing their supervisor’s work recognised globally motivates them to pursue innovative, high-quality projects.”

Looking ahead, Professor Prasad plans to expand UniFiji’s contribution to the field through strengthening postgraduate and research programmes in renewable energy and environmental sciences, attracting more international collaborations and external grants, mentoring MSc and PhD students to build a new generation of researchers and Serving as a Review Editor for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Seventh Assessment Report (AR7).

He also envisions new collaborations in smart grid applications, hydrogen energy, and AI-integrated environmental modelling, positioning UniFiji as a hub for advanced, contextually relevant clean energy research.