Bula
Tālofa lava
Kia Orana
Mauri
Lakwe
Ekamowir Omo
Fakaalofa lahi atu
Fakaalofa lahi atu
Mālō ni
Fakatālofa atu
Malo e lelei
Halo
Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou kātoa
I specifically acknowledge:
- Prime Minister Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa
- Deputy Prime Minister Biman Prasad
- Pro Chancellor Siosiua Tuitalukua Tupou Utoikamanu
- Vice Chancellor Professor Pal Ahluwalia
- Ministers of Education, and
- Esteemed members of the USP Council and friends of USP.
It is good to be back at the University of Auckland Waipapa Taumata Rau where I worked as a Professor and Pro Vice-Chancellor – and to have this great privilege of formally opening the 99th meeting of the Council of the University of South Pacific.
To all our guests from the Pacific region, nga mihi mahana, a warm welcome to Aotearoa New Zealand. I wish you all the very best for what I am sure will be a productive and stimulating time for you in Auckland.
In Aotearoa, we cherish our people-to-people links across the Pacific, and I am proud New Zealand is an enduring partner of USP, and host of this meeting.
As Governor-General, I have welcomed opportunities to engage with diverse Pacific communities in Aotearoa, and during my official visits to Niue, Samoa and Cook Islands – I have particularly acknowledged the historical and cultural links between iwi Māori and the peoples of the Pacific.
This gathering takes place at a crucial time in geopolitics, where we see challenges to the international rules-based order, and growing interest in the Pacific Ocean – the largest area on the globe.
The Pacific Ocean connects us by whakapapa, with our shared history of migration from Asia – and settlement across Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia. To quote from the book “Tangata Whenua”: the “first migrations into uninhabited Oceania were to western Micronesia and the archipelagos of the Lapita region, beginning about 1,000 BC or slightly earlier. Migrations from around 200 BC colonised the rest of Micronesia and the marginal islands of West Polynesia including Niue. Central East Polynesia was colonised AD 900-1100, and Hawai’i, Easter Island (Rapanui) and South Polynesia about 1200-1300 AD.” Interestingly, it appears there were connections between Rapanui and Peru, the original source of our kumara.
Archaeology, history and our oral traditions all teach us that these waves of colonisation were significant feats of exploration, and did not occur as a result of single events. Interactions between settled islands continued right throughout our history to the present day. There are names linking departure places to vaka/waka voyages and arrival points, ariki/chiefly lines that link waves of migration between the islands, and shared stories of eponymous ancestors such as Kupe in the Polynesian traditions. USP is part of this ongoing story, shared across Oceania.
USP and education are important contributors to development and sustainable growth across the region, as well as measures to address issues such as climate change, marine ecology, health and wellbeing oranga. It’s interesting to contemplate how AI, digitalisation and space exploration may also become part of the ongoing history of the Pacific.
Universities are ancient institutions that play a vital role in the modern world, as generators and store-houses of knowledge. They must be protected to be able to speak truth to power, and to disseminate the very best of insights and knowledge, including traditional and the most modern of knowledge. In order to protect their inherent role of critic and conscience for the societies they are embedded in, they need strong and courageous governance.
USP must strive with its limited resources to deliver the very best of results in a contested world, to ensure that the Pacific is able to meet its challenges. Responding to complex and novel student and staff considerations – who for example, could have foreseen what COVID would mean for tertiary education – we can see that the need for innovation is a powerful driver. New learning styles, including online access and other forms of flexible learning will continue to be part of the picture moving forward, as will the striving for excellence, new frontiers and relevance.
As the first person in my family to go to university, I can personally attest to the transformational power of education – not just for myself, but also my family, community and society. I therefore remain deeply and personally committed to ensuring that others have the chance to experience high quality tertiary education, not just for utilitarian reasons, but also because of the power of insight, shared international collaborations, and a deeper understanding of our humanity.
Kofi Annan, a former head of the United Nations acknowledged the inter-generational impact of education when he said: “Knowledge is power. Information is liberating. Education is the premise of progress, in every society, in every family.”
During its 57 years of existence, USP has helped to change lives across the Pacific region. Generations of people have graduated with knowledge and skills that have enabled them to fulfil their potential and contribute to the wellbeing of their communities.
I am a strong advocate for female leadership in tertiary institutions, and I believe USP has an opportunity to play a pivotable role in advancing the role of women in the Pacific. Gender equality is not something that can be left to chance; it requires collective commitment and effort, whether through providing more inclusive academic environments, innovative research, and community partnerships.
I appreciate the role USP has played in educating and influencing great leaders in this region – including Prime Ministers and political leaders, academics, artists, industry leaders, and human-rights champions.
It must be highly gratifying to see USP grow in its international rankings – and contributing to internationally recognised research across a range of disciplines – including Business Administration, Climate, Education, Journalism, Tourism and Hospitality. This is not an exhaustive list, and nor should it be limiting. Collaborations with other institutions could be secured to ensure that USP learners have access to the best minds and latest knowledge in the world.
A Māori whakatauki “Whiria te taura here tāngata” says that a rope is so much stronger if multiple strands are woven together. By weaving together the energies, knowledge, talents and aspirations of peoples across the Pacific – USP has become the region’s leading tertiary provider.
At this 99th Council meeting, I trust that your discussions will be enriched by the breadth of perspectives you can bring to your work, and your decisions will be guided by a shared vision for a strong, future-focused and vibrant USP.
Looking ahead, I also wish you every success in your efforts to deliver on your intended outcomes, and to bring the University community with you on the journey of implementation.
Nō reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou tēnā tatou kātoa.