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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/

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.

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.

The University of Fiji joins the people of Fiji and the wider Pacific region in mourning the passing of former President of the Republic of Fiji and former Chancellor of the University, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, a revered statesman whose life was dedicated to service, leadership and the betterment of the nation.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Shaista Shameem said the University was deeply saddened by the passing of a leader who served the institution with grace, wisdom and honour.

“Ratu Epeli Nailatikau was a man of immense dignity, humility and strength of character. He carried the respect of the nation and the affection of all who had the privilege of working with him.

“As Chancellor of the University of Fiji, he gave this institution prestige, encouragement and principled leadership. He believed strongly in the power of education to uplift lives and create a better future for our people.

“I remember him as a gracious and thoughtful leader who treated everyone with kindness and respect. His presence at our graduations and official ceremonies inspired confidence, pride and hope in our students.

“His passing is a great national loss, and the University of Fiji honours his legacy of service to Fiji and commitment to future generations,” Professor Shameem said.

A high chief of Kubuna, Ratu Epeli served Fiji with distinction across military, diplomatic and constitutional leadership roles over many decades. His contribution to national life leaves a lasting legacy of unity, service and patriotism.

During his tenure as Chancellor, he remained a strong supporter of higher education and the important role universities play in nation-building, leadership development and social progress.

The University community fondly remembers his attendance at graduation ceremonies and official events, where he was admired for his humility, wisdom and genuine warmth towards students, staff and guests.

One of his enduring messages to graduands, delivered at the University of Fiji Graduation Ceremony in 2013, continues to resonate today:

“I urge the graduands to lead by example and be good ambassadors of the University of Fiji. To all of you parents gathered here and to those listening from outside, I implore you to invest in the education of your children for the future.”

The University of Fiji extends its deepest condolences to the Nailatikau family, the Vanua, and all those in Fiji and across the Pacific mourning his passing.

May he rest in eternal peace.