Port-Vila, Vanuatu – Wednesday, 19 November 2025: The National University of Vanuatu (NUV) and the Reserve Bank of Vanuatu (RBV) signed a development partnership agreement that represents a significant milestone in the strengthening of higher education and national capacity-building across the country. The agreement was formally concluded on Friday, 14 November 2025, when Mr Jean-Pierre Nirua, NUV’s Vice-Chancellor, and Mrs. Gloria Siri, the Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of Vanuatu, signed a four-year partnership to support the university’s institutional and academic development.
Through this agreement, endorsed by the Reserve Bank Board of Directors, the Reserve Bank of Vanuatu commits to providing VT 200 million in financial support to the National University of Vanuatu, to be disbursed in four tranches of VT 50 million each. This long-term investment will directly contribute to the expansion and enhancement of NUV’s academic programmes, the development of new curricula, and the reinforcement of the university’s overall institutional capacity. The partnership aligns closely with NUV’s mission to deliver high-quality education, foster a vibrant research culture, and contribute meaningfully to Vanuatu’s sustainable development. It also supports the university’s vision of becoming a leading national institution capable of training future leaders, professionals, and researchers who will drive the nation’s progress.
NUV will undertake a comprehensive needs analysis to identify priority areas for institutional strengthening, including curriculum development, faculty recruitment, and research capacity. NUV will also implement a targeted recruitment plan to attract and retain qualified academic staff, particularly in fields crucial to Vanuatu’s development, such as economics, public finance, banking, business development and management, sustainable development, and financial literacy. In addition, the university will lead the design of new academic and training programmes in consultation with the Reserve Bank of Vanuatu and in accordance with its internal governance and quality assurance frameworks.
The Reserve Bank of Vanuatu, for its part, will provide technical and advisory support where appropriate to strengthen NUV’s financial management capacity, as well as its institutional planning and reporting systems. The Bank will also help facilitate collaboration between the university and other national institutions or development partners to maximise the long-term impact of the support provided.
Speaking on the significance of the agreement, Vice-Chancellor Jean-Pierre Nirua said, “This agreement marks a transformational moment in the growth and development of the National University of Vanuatu. The support from the Reserve Bank of Vanuatu will greatly strengthen our institutional and academic capacity, enabling us to expand high-quality programmes that respond directly to the needs of our nation. By investing in education, the RBV is investing in the future of Vanuatu, and we look forward to a strong and productive partnership in the years ahead.”
Through this collaborative effort, both institutions and the Government of Vanuatu affirm their dedication to building a stronger, more resilient, and more knowledgeable Vanuatu.
