Port-Vila, Vanuatu – Wednesday 19 March 2025: The National University of Vanuatu (NUV) and the Vanuatu Bureau of Statistics (VBoS) formalised their collaboration by signing a Memorandum of Agreement to strengthen training, research and data accessibility for staff, students and researchers.
During the signing ceremony, NUV Vice-Chancellor Jean-Pierre Nirua and VBoS Chief Statistician Andy Calo Kap emphasised the importance of institutional cooperation in supporting education, research, and evidence-based decision-making. This agreement will provide NUV students and researchers with direct access to statistical information, national datasets, and survey reports compiled by the Bureau.
With NUV’s academic and professional programs expanding, the integration of national data into research and coursework is essential. Through this partnership, VBoS will also be able to store its data in NUV’s numeric system as a secured backup, ensuring the long-term preservation of national statistical collections.
As part of this collaboration, VBoS officers will gain access to NUV’s digital learning platform (Moodle), allowing them to engage in self-paced data analysis training. This initiative will enhance their skills in statistical analysis and contribute to the professional development of Bureau staff. Looking ahead, these training modules will evolve into an accredited course in statistics, a specialised program rooted in Melanesian values and the Melanesian Wellbeing Indicators initiative for the students.
NUV Vice-Chancellor Jean-Pierre Nirua thanked VBoS for their support. He said, “This partnership with the Vanuatu Bureau of Statistics is a milestone for research and education in Vanuatu. By integrating national data into our academic programs, we are equipping our students and researchers with the tools they need to generate knowledge that is relevant, evidence-based, and impactful for our nation’s development.”
This agreement marks a significant step toward bridging academia and national data resources, reinforcing Vanuatu’s commitment to high-quality research.
