Port Vila, Vanuatu – Thursday 9 July 2026: A group of students from the National University of Vanuatu (NUV) enrolled in the Climate Resilience and Humanitarian Action programme are currently participating in a two-week academic mobility programme in Nouméa, New Caledonia, reinforcing collaboration between students, researchers and scientific institutions across the Pacific.
The exchange, the Pacifik Wokboat 2026, is part of the Campus Mobile Pacifique initiative, funded by the French Government, which supports student and researcher mobility within the Pacific region. The programme was established to overcome the challenges of distance, connectivity and limited resources that often constrain academic exchanges between Pacific universities. By enabling students to undertake learning experiences across the region, Campus Mobile Pacifique strengthens regional cooperation, enhances employability and builds a new generation of Pacific professionals equipped to address shared challenges.
Throughout the week, NUV students are engaging with leading researchers from the Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD) and partner institutions through lectures, laboratory visits and field activities. Thanks to the collaboration with the IRD and the University of New Caledonia, the programme covers a wide range of topics, including marine biogeochemistry, Pacific traditional medicine, marine ecology, analytical laboratory techniques, molecular biology, remote sensing, sustainable agriculture and climate science.
Dr Candice Cabane, NUV’s Head of the School of Science, explained that this hands-on learning experience provides students with valuable exposure to cutting-edge scientific research while fostering meaningful connections with peers and researchers from across the region.
“This exchange reflects our commitment to preparing graduates who can respond to the complex environmental and humanitarian challenges facing our region. By learning alongside researchers and fellow students from across the Pacific, our students gain practical knowledge, broaden their perspectives and build professional networks that will benefit both their careers and the sustainable development of Vanuatu and the wider Pacific.”
The initiative closely aligns with NUV’s vision of delivering high-quality education, promoting impactful research and strengthening partnerships across the Pacific. International mobility opportunities such as Campus Mobile Pacifique are central to NUV’s strategic goals of enhancing student learning through practical experiences, expanding research collaboration and building stronger academic links with regional and international partners.
As Pacific Island countries continue to face the impacts of climate change, natural hazards and environmental pressures, strengthening regional cooperation through education and research is more important than ever.
