Port Vila, Vanuatu – Tuesday 24 March 2026: The National University of Vanuatu’s (NUV) students enrolled in its Diploma in Climate Resilience & Humanitarian Action (CRHA) recently participated in a regional environmental activity led by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), offering them valuable hands-on experience in marine waste monitoring and management.
A total of 28 CRHA diploma students took part in a field activity at the Kawenu site last week, where they conducted a coastal waste collection and sorting exercise under the guidance of Mr Tigona, NUV’s Lecturer in Environmental Sciences. SPREP implements marine litter activities in Port Vila as part of the Sustainable Waste Action in the Pacific Phase 2 (SWAP2) project.
SWAP2 is a regional initiative running from 2025 to 2028, funded by the Agence Française de Développement and implemented by SPREP. The project aims to strengthen sustainable waste management across Pacific Island countries and French territories by improving infrastructure, developing policies, enhancing technical capacity, and fostering regional collaboration under the Cleaner Pacific 2025 strategy. A key focus of the project is addressing marine litter, used oil, solid waste management, and knowledge sharing across the region.
During the activity, students received training on a standardised marine debris monitoring methodology developed by Sustainable Coastlines, an ocean-focused charity based in New Zealand. They learned how to establish survey zones, systematically collect, sort, and categorise waste, and record data using the Litter Intelligence mobile application. This practical experience enabled students to apply theoretical knowledge in a real-world context while contributing to the collection of meaningful data for a regional environmental database.
Ms Candice Cabane, Head of the School of Science at NUV, highlighted the importance of such initiatives for student learning and career readiness.
“Participation in activities such as the SWAP2 marine litter survey gives our students the opportunity to engage directly with regional partners and apply scientific and humanitarian principles in the field. These experiences are essential in preparing them for future roles in government, NGOs, and regional organisations where practical skills, data literacy, and community engagement are highly valued.”
The activity reflects NUV’s commitment to experiential learning and its strategic vision of developing a skilled and responsive workforce capable of addressing Vanuatu’s pressing environmental and humanitarian challenges. By engaging with regional programmes such as SWAP2, the university continues to strengthen its partnerships while ensuring that its graduates are equipped with the competencies required to support sustainable development and climate resilience across the Pacific.
For the students, the fieldwork provided not only technical training but also a deeper understanding of the scale and complexity of marine pollution in Vanuatu and the wider region. Their contributions form part of a broader regional effort to generate reliable data that informs policy development, supports evidence-based decision-making, and promotes cleaner and healthier coastal environments.
NUV extends its sincere appreciation to SPREP and all partners involved for their collaboration and continued support in providing meaningful learning opportunities for its students.
