The 101st Council Meeting of The University of the South Pacific was opened yesterday by Crown Prince Tupoutoʻa ʻUlukalala, with regional leaders highlighting the university’s role as a cornerstone of Pacific cooperation.
The meeting was held at the Ministry of Education Conference Room in Nuku’alofa and brought together senior university officials and regional representatives to discuss the institution’s governance and future direction.
In his opening remarks, the Prince Regent described USP as one of the Pacific’s strongest examples of regionalism, built on “shared purpose, partnership, and collective progress”. He also praised the Council for what he called its steady and transparent leadership during a period of institutional transition.
USP Pro-Chancellor and Chair of Council and the Interim Management Group, Siosiua Utoikamanu, welcomed the remarks and reaffirmed the Council’s responsibility as custodians of an institution created “by the region, for the region”.
Founded in 1968, USP is jointly owned by 12 Pacific Island member countries, including Tonga, Fiji, Samoa and Vanuatu. The university serves thousands of students across the region through campuses and distance learning programmes, and remains one of the Pacific’s largest regional institutions.
The council meeting comes as Pacific nations continue to emphasise education, skills development and regional cooperation as priorities for economic resilience and long-term stability.
