Port-Vila, Vanuatu — Thursday 10 September 2026: Leaders of Pacific Universities have approved the establishment of a PIURN Regional Mobility Fund at the 2026 Board Meeting of the Pacific Islands Universities Regional Network (PIURN), held in Nuku’alofa, Tonga.
Hosted by Christ’s University in the Pacific, the two-day meeting brought together PIURN members to discuss regional research, academic mobility, partnerships and opportunities to strengthen cooperation among Pacific universities.
The new PIURN Regional Mobility Fund, proposed by the National University of Vanuatu, will support students and academic staff from PIURN member universities to study, conduct research, undertake internships, fieldwork and participate in other approved academic activities across the Pacific.
“The approval of this fund represents a mature and transformative step forward for higher education in our region,” said Mr. Jean-Pierre Nirua, Vice-Chancellor of the National University of Vanuatu. “By managing our own mobility framework, Pacific universities can take the lead in shaping our academic future. This mechanism ensures we build a self-reliant, highly connected regional academic community driven by our own institutional and research needs. This approach is already reflected in NUV’s growing partnerships, including the signing of several MOUs with Pacific universities in 2026.”
The Fund will be Pacific-led and collectively managed, with PIURN members determining its priorities, eligibility criteria and funding arrangements according to the needs of Pacific universities.
The Board also discussed upcoming regional mobility programmes, future research funding opportunities, the PIURN 2027 Conference, Pre-COP activities in Fiji and potential new membership.
The approval of the Regional Mobility Fund marks an important step towards building a stronger, more connected and Pacific-led higher education community, creating greater opportunities for students and academics to learn, research and collaborate across the region.
About the Pacific Islands Universities Regional Network
The Pacific Islands Universities Regional Network is a consortium of 15 member universities across Pacific Island Countries and Territories. Co-chaired by The University of the South Pacific (USP) and the University of New Caledonia (UNC), PIURN is dedicated to fostering closer academic cooperation, driving collaborative scientific research, and addressing shared social, economic, and environmental challenges through localized, solution-driven education.
