News

Youths rise for ‘Pacific Pawa’

School students show their support for Rise for Pacific Pawa campaign at the 2018 USP Open Day. Picture: SUPPLIED   By VIRASHNA SINGH September 8, 2018 was the global day of action for 350.Org. The organization planned to hold thousands of rallies in countries around the world to urge the local leaders to commit to building a fossil fuel free world that puts people before profits. “350.Org is a global climate movement that brings together leaders from grassroots, from frontline communities that are working to publically stigmatize the fossil fuel industry," said Fenton Lutunatabua, the Pacific communications and regional co-ordinator. The…

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Students share PCF internship experience

USP journalism students Elizabeth Osifelo (left), Adi Anaseini Civavonovono (middle) and Salote Qalubau (second from right) with other participants of the PCF Media Programme. Picture: spasifikmag.com   By WANSOLWARA STAFF The Pacific Cooperation Foundation’s Media Programme has been dubbed a successful platform to boost the learning experience for student journalists from the region. According to three final-year journalism students at The University of the South Pacific, the extensive program allowed them to build on their passion for journalism. Students Elizabeth Osifelo, Salote Qalubau and Adi Anaseini Civavonovono shared their reflections after completing the internship program in New Zealand recently. According…

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Graphic crash images highlight need for social media education

The Raiova family lay flowers at the accident site on Nabou, Nadroga, which claimed the lives of six Fijians last week. Picture: REINAL CHAND/FIJI TIMES   By LEILANI SITAGATA AUCKLAND (Asia Pacific Report/Pacific Media Watch): A viral spread of photos and videos from last week’s fatal crash at Nabou has highlighted a need for education surrounding the use of social media in Fiji. The University of the South Pacific’s senior lecturer and co-ordinator of journalism Dr Shailendra Singh told Asia Pacific Report this was “not a first”…

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Cultural exchange deepens China-Fiji friendship

The Ark Peace delegation with USP and Confucius Institute staff members at the Australia-Pacific Performance Space in Laucala Bay, Suva. Picture: USP Communications   By WANSOLWARA STAFF STAFF and students of The University of the South Pacific in Suva were treated to a night of Chinese cultural performances last Friday by the visiting medical team from the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) navy hospital ship, Ark Peace. This is the ship’s second visit to Fiji after four years and the third stop on its Mission Harmony-2018 goodwill and humanitarian visit around the Pacific. Their visit to the University was facilitated…

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Celebrating diversity through rugby

Sevens rugby maestro Waisale Serevi and NZ 7s rugby sensation Rocky Khan (garlanded) with the Fiji Deaf Rugby Union. Picture: USP Communications    By WANSOLWARA STAFF RUGBY has the potential to change lives and in a country like Fiji, the sport can literally bring the nation to a standstill. For rugby 7s maestro Waisale Serevi, rugby does not discriminate or divide but instead contributes to the holistic development of those who partake in the sport. Serevi delved into the issue of inclusive rugby during the Rugby for Change – Celebrating Diversity seminar at the USP Oceania Centre for Arts, Culture…

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Climate focus at Open Day

Students from Adi Cakobau School in Sawani with USP journalism students at the Faculty of Arts, Law and Education awareness booths during the USP Open Day. Picture: WANSOLWARA STAFF   By WANSOLWARA STAFF Climate change awareness was high on the agenda at The University of the South Pacific’s Open Day today as Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama stressed the importance of inclusive, participatory and transparent style of talanoa exchange when addressing the issues around this weather phenomenon. While opening the USP Open Day event, Mr Bainimarama said the “Talanoa Dialogue”, which was launched as part of the COP23 presidency, brought together…

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USP journalism student wins Nadi pageant

Miss Sharma Music Centre, Kirisitiana Uluwai (middle), after being crowned Miss Nadi Bula Festival 2018 at Prince Charles Park in Nadi last week. Picture: FIJI SUN/ARIETA VAKASUKAWAQA   By EPARAMA WARUA Aspiring journalist Kirisitiana Uluwai was crowned the 58th Miss Nadi Bula 2018 queen last Saturday at Prince Charles Park in Nadi. The 23-year-old journalism and politics student at The University of the South Pacific joined the week-long festival and focused her attention on charity side of the pageant. “It’s not about me. It's not about what I know or who I know, or what I can do. It’s about…

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USP festival fosters appreciation of arts, culture and heritage

Handicraft vendors during the Ocean Heritage & Arts Festival at Laucala campus in Suva yesterday. Picture: RUCI VAKAMINO/WANSOLWARA    By  LAISEANA NASIGA In honour of the late Professor Epeli Hau’ofa, the Oceania Centre for Arts, Culture and Pacific Studies celebrated the works of art, culture and heritage through the opening of the "We Are The Ocean Heritage & Arts Festival" at the University of the South Pacific in Suva yesterday. USP’s Pro-Chancellor Winston Thompson says heritage festivals brings people together all over the world and provides an opportunity to raise awareness about the safeguarding of culture. “This festival provides such an…

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Conference highlights social, economic issues in the region

Policy-makers, academics and development practitioners gathered at The University of the South Pacific's Japan-Pacific ICT Auditorium in Laucala Bay for the two-day 2018 Pacific Update Conference. Picture: WANSOLWARA STAFF   By WANSOLWARA STAFF THE prevalence of inequality and hardship among the population in the region at varying levels remains a concern for policy-makers. And according to the Minister for Waterways, Dr Mahendra Reddy, forums such as the 2018 Pacific Update Conference provided the platform for stakeholders to discuss those important issues in Pacific Island countries. While delivering his keynote address at The University of the South in Suva this morning,…

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Free press vital, says NZ academic

Auckland University of Technology School of Communication Studies and Director of Pacific Media Centre, Professor David Robie (centre) with Pacific Cooperation Foundation media interns during the AUT tour last week. Picture: Pacific Cooperation Foundation/Supplied   By SALOTE QALUBAU in New Zealand In order for democracy to thrive and function efficiently, a free press is paramount in terms of check and balance. This was stressed by Auckland University of Technology (AUT) School of Communication Studies lecturer and Director of the Pacific Media Centre, Professor David Robie while hosting Pacific Cooperation Foundation (PCF) media interns during a tour of the AUT Media…

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