Port-Vila, Vanuatu – Friday 16 May 2025: The National University of Vanuatu (NUV) proudly celebrated its First and Inaugural Graduation Ceremony on Friday 16 May 2025. This historic event marked a defining moment in Vanuatu’s higher education journey, as 391 graduates were honoured for their academic achievements.
Of these, 248 Ni-Vanuatu students received their qualifications directly from the National University of Vanuatu, awarded by the NUV’s Vice-Chancellor and His Excellency Nikenike Vurobaravu, President of the Republic of Vanuatu. An additional 143 graduates, including a few from New Caledonia, received Bachelor and Master awards from partner universities, having completed their programs at the NUV campus in Port Vila.
The ceremony showcased graduates from the School of Education and from NUV’s flagship Climate Resilience & Humanitarian Action (CRHA) programs, including the Diploma of CRHA and Professional Micro-credentials in CRHA and Program & Project Management (PPM).
Prime Minister Jotham Napat, in his keynote address, congratulated all graduates and commended the university’s growing impact. He said, “Higher education is the engine of our nation’s development. By investing in our people through institutions like the National University of Vanuatu, we are building a stronger, more resilient, and future-ready Vanuatu”. The Prime Minister then emphasised the need to invest more in NUV and bring all existing public training institutions into our national university, following the example of ex-VITE, now the School of Education of NUV, which has graduated 203 qualified teachers, 191 of whom graduate with a Degree in primary and secondary teaching. He concluded, “By strengthening NUV and investing in higher education and training in-country, Vanuatu’s economy will directly benefit, as money spent on our national university will remain in Vanuatu”.
NUV’s core values of excellence, inclusiveness, innovation, resilience, and continuous improvement were reflected throughout the ceremony. These values guide NUV’s commitment to delivering relevant and high-quality education rooted in Pacific contexts.
NUV Vice-Chancellor, Mr Jean-Pierre Nirua, expressed heartfelt congratulations to the graduates. He said, “Today’s ceremony marks a new chapter in our young university and our nation. These graduates are a testament to what is possible when dedication, partnership, and vision come together. NUV will continue expanding its programs and developing as the national hub for higher learning, training and research.”
He also acknowledged the invaluable support of NUV’s partners – both national and international – who continue to play a crucial role in developing NUV as a dynamic institution of higher education and research in the Pacific. He thanked the university partners: James Cook University (Australia), Taylor’s University (Malaysia), the University of New Caledonia (France), Université Toulouse Capitole (France) and Université Toulouse Jean Jaurès (France).
Professor Ron White, Dean of the College of Science and Engineering at James Cook University, in Townsville, Australia, said “This milestone graduation reflects our shared vision of National University of Vanuatu, James Cook University and the University of New Caledonia to support capacity building in environmental science that is both locally rooted and globally informed. By delivering this bilingual program in Vanuatu, we are empowering graduates with the knowledge and skills to lead regional development and climate resilience in Vanuatu and across the Pacific.”
The 2025 Graduation Ceremony not only celebrated academic success but also reaffirmed NUV’s role as a catalyst for transformational change, contributing to national development and empowering Ni-Vanuatu to thrive through education.
Vice-Chancellor Nirua concluded, “Congratulations to all graduates and to the families and communities who supported them on this journey. Your achievement today is not only a personal success but a contribution to the growth and resilience of our nation. As you step forward into your careers and communities, may you carry with you the values of the National University of Vanuatu. Vanuatu’s future depends on your leadership, and we are proud to have been part of your journey”.
