Port-Vila, Vanuatu – Wednesday 9 July 2025: The National University of Vanuatu (NUV) participated in the 6th Pacific Islands Universities Regional Network (PIURN) Conference, held from 1 to 3 July 2025 at the Papua New Guinea University of Technology in Lae, Papua New Guinea.
Themed “Harnessing Technologies for the Safe and Sustainable Development of the Pacific,” the conference brought together Vice-Chancellors, scholars, researchers, and students from across the region to explore innovative solutions for a resilient and prosperous Pacific. NUV was represented by a strong delegation of 11 faculty and research staff, who shared their ongoing and future research projects spanning climate resilience, language preservation, education, and sustainable development. Their presentations highlighted the university’s growing contribution to knowledge creation and its ambition to serve as a regional hub for research and innovation in the Pacific.
This year’s PIURN Conference continued its tradition of being interdisciplinary and inclusive, welcoming participants from all academic fields. The event served as a platform for collaboration, exchange of ideas, and network building between universities and researchers across the Pacific Islands. NUV’s Vice-Chancellor, Mr Jean-Pierre Nirua, and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Pascal Michon, also attended PIURN Board meeting, helped chair presentation sessions and engaged in dialogue and consultations for future partnership arrangements with the universities of the Pacific region.
“NUV’s presence at the PIURN Conference reinforces our commitment to advancing research that addresses Pacific realities and priorities,” said Jean-Pierre Nirua, Vice-Chancellor of the National University of Vanuatu. “I am very proud of the increasing level of interest and of our NUV staff’s contributions to research work that forms part of the University’s core business. NUV will continue to invest in research development capacity, partnerships, and innovation initiatives to support sustainable development in Vanuatu and the wider Pacific region.”
Participation in PIURN 2025 reflects NUV’s strategic efforts to strengthen its role in higher education within Vanuatu and the Pacific, build meaningful partnerships with regional institutions and networks, promote interdisciplinary and applied research that responds to Vanuatu and Pacific challenges, and encourage young researchers and academics to engage in regional knowledge-sharing and publication of their research work.
During the PIURN Conference, the Vice-Chancellor and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor also attended the PIURN Board Meeting. Key directives were issued at the Board meeting for members to improve the quality of research work and for presenters to submit full papers for publication. The Board also endorsed funding joint research initiatives between PIURN members and Australian Universities. The Board finally agreed that the 7th Conference will be held in Fiji, jointly hosted by the Fiji National University, the University of the South Pacific (USP) and the University of Fiji, while the next Board meeting will be held in Tonga in 2026, hosted by Christ University in Pacific.
As the university continues to expand its academic programs and research profile, its involvement in forums like PIURN is key to positioning NUV as a proactive contributor to Pacific development through higher education and scientific research.
