News

At the heart of the 2025 Research for Development Impact (RDI) Network Exchange Conference in Sydney, two inspiring changemakers from Fiji stood out—Christian Fong, an aspiring renewable energy engineer, and Serene Shrestha, a global health advocate.

Held on 30 July 2025 at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva, The Big Meet—hosted by DFAT—brought together alumni, professionals, and development partners to explore collaboration opportunities in Australia’s Development Program in Fiji and the Pacific.

Australia’s Assistant Minister for Tourism and Pacific Island Affairs, Hon. Senator Nita Green, hosted a vibrant luncheon at the Tanoa Hotel in Nadi, bringing together past and present Australia Awards recipients, based in Fiji. The event held on 16 July celebrated the enduring partnership between Australia and Fiji, highlighting the impact of Australian scholarships on regional development.

On Saturday, 21 June, the newly appointed Australia Awards Fiji Alumni Advisory Board (AAB) gathered at Uprising Beach Resort for a dynamic Planning Day. Eleven of the twelve AAB members, including one joining virtually, participated in the full-day session aimed at setting priorities, building relationships, and aligning on the Board’s strategic role.

This year marked an important milestone in Fiji’s public sector development with the completion of the first Australia Awards Short Course in Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E). Delivered by the University of New England (UNE) and supported by Australia Awards Fiji, the course brought together 19 civil servants from 17 government agencies for an intensive six-month learning experience focused on practical skills, collaboration, and evidence-based decision-making.

Each year on 3 May marks World Press Freedom Day, a global reminder of the vital role free and independent press plays in upholding democracy, protecting human rights, and fostering informed societies. This year’s theme, “A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the Face of the Environmental Crisis,” recognises the role of journalism in confronting current global challenges.

When we think of nutrition, we often imagine colourful plates, balanced meals, and health goals. But for Luke Waqanivere, a Senior Nutritionist at Fiji’s Ministry of Health and Medical Services, nutrition begins long before food reaches the plate. It starts with safety, dignity, and access.

On a Saturday morning on 26 April 2025, the University of the South Pacific’s Oceania Centre pulsed with energy and intent. The World Health Day celebration, hosted by Australia Awards Fiji (AAF) and Women Leading and Influencing (WLI) alumni in partnership with Medical Services Pacific (MSP), was a living movement of health, leadership, and connection.

The journey of a lifetime has begun for 77 talented Fijian individuals who have been awarded the prestigious Australia Awards Pacific Scholarship (AAPS) and Australia Awards Scholarship (AAS). The Awards, granted for study in 2025, are to equip these future leaders with an academic qualification and contribute to sustainable development, upon return to Fiji’s workforce.

In September 2024, eight Australia Awards Fiji alumni travelled to the 2nd Regional Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) Leadership Summit in the Philippines. The summit brought together 150 alumni delegates from 10 countries, fostering regional collaboration on inclusive disaster resilience, climate action, and social equity.

Alumni, current awardees, and DFAT representatives came together in March for two Alumni Networking Events, celebrating connections and collaboration in Fiji’s Western and Northern Divisions.

More than 80 Australia Awards alumni, development partners, and Government leaders gathered at the Grand Pacific Hotel for the Australia Awards Fiji Alumni Dialogue & Networking Event, an evening of thought leadership, policy discussion and collaboration.

Sixteen newly returned Australia Awards scholars took part in an enriching reintegration talanoa in Suva, connecting with experienced alumni about navigating the next chapter of their lives, post-study.

Growing up in a rural community in Fiji, Veremo Muria witnessed firsthand the struggles and hardships of families living day to day trying to make ends meet. With limited access to education and basic services, his childhood was marked by challenges that fervently shaped his resolve and future ambitions.

Inspired by a close family member’s lived experience with diabetes, Australia Awards alumnus, Shivaali Vanshika, dedicates her career to providing the best in preventive foot care to address Fiji’s increasing rates of amputations. 

In late 2022, representatives from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) hosted the Pacific Regional Alumni Dinner in Suva.

Meet Rishav Prasad, a Bachelor of Engineering graduate of the University of New South Wales, shared his academic journey and extracurricular activities that have him build relationships, networks and professional links with the Australian community, alongside fellow international students.

In recognition of World Food Day, our scholars share on the importance of food security for Fiji.

In recognition of World Maritime Day, we interviewed Reginald Caine, Head of Technical Services – Ministry of Fisheries, and Australia Awards alumnus. 

Meet Neekhil Prasad, a Fiji awardee who recently represented the Pacific at the Global Adaptation Summit in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

A collaboration between Australia Awards and Fiji’s Commerce & Employers Federation (FCEF)

A reflection on World Friendship Day – Awardees Kapil Swamy and Ratu Marika Lewanavanua building lifelong connections.

Resilience for Fiji, a reflection by Australia Awards Alumnus, Rakesh Chandra

Meet Lavenia Burns; Australia Awards Alumnus & Midwife at Colonial War Memorial (CWM) Hospital, Suva.

Anesh Kumar and Epeli Talei leading by example.

Meet Maria Madigibuli, A First Year Fiji AAPS Awardee

Meet Australia Awards Alumna, Mr Nesbitt Hazelman.

Customized training program to enhance customer service across Fiji’s Civil Service.

10 Australia Awards alumni completed a Reflective Leadership Program

Meet Shaneel Prasad, a Fiji AAPS alumni and a recent FNU Gold Medalist

On Thursday 21 April 2022, Australia Awards Fiji farewelled our first two Awardees, destined for Australia, in over two years.

Triumph through Adversity: Australia Awards alumni commended for excelling amidst COVID-19

Fifty Fijians get ready for study in Australia under the prestigious Australia Awards

Eight nurses have commenced their postgraduate studies in Midwifery under the intake 2022 AAPS

Peniana Qonitoga talks about her motivation and experience in studying forensic science and the potential benefits to Fiji

Dr Rachel presenting at the alumni event.

Raising visibility on the non-formal education sector.

Meet the newly appointed Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Economy.

An advocate for E-Learning, meet Dr Valentine Hazelman

Working as a midwife, Nazhakat Ali shares his experience.

A lesson in the study journey of Ashley Gopal

Australia Awards Alumna Vasiti Soko featured in the Global AA newsletter (November 2021 edition), in recognition of her Excellence Award. You can access the full publication here UNDRR.

Ioane Hawaii is an Australia Awards Pacific Scholarship awardee currently studying at The University of the South Pacific.

World Mental Health week webinar.

Australia Awards Global Scope Program 2021

Australia Awards Virtual Regional GEDSI Summit.

The Emerging Leader Webinar

Meet Claudette Wilson, the voice for Fiji’s deaf community.

Meet Apisai Moce, a new AA alumnus and University of New England Graduate.

FAAA MEL Workshop.

TAAN Cocktail Event

In recognition of World Oceans Day, meet Australia Awards alumnus Maria-Goretti Muavesi.

Meet Nazia Raza, an Australia Awards alumna and current Student Support Services Technical Adviser at the Fiji Program Support Facility.

The Ministry of Civil Service, in partnership with the Australian Government, commenced specialised training for Fijian civil servants in business writing skills.

Meet Elesi Sulinibau, an Australia Awards alumnus, who completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Midwifery from FNU in 2017 and is currently a Midwife at Levuka hospital.

FAAA Executive Committee – February Update

Nurses from across Fiji have been awarded the Australia Awards Pacific Scholarship (AAPS) to undertake a Postgraduate Diploma in Midwifery at the Fiji National University (FNU) this year.

Meet Jovesa Korovulavula, an Australian Awards alumnus, who completed a Master of Special Education at Macquarie University in 2014.

We acknowledge #Pacific seafarers such as #AustraliaAwards alumna, Sheryne Kanawale, who are making great waves in the maritime industry.

Mereoni is the Supervisor – Medical Imaging Technologies (MIT) at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital’s Radiology Department in Suva.

The Australian Government applauds the efforts of health professionals across Fiji who are at the forefront of the COVID-19 response; such as Australia Awards alumnus Dr Sam Fullman.

Meet Ashna Shaleen, #AustraliaAwards alumna and the first Fijian Country Director of Medical Services Pacific (MSP).

Australia Awards alumna, Alumeci Vularika is in charge of environmental health services at Nadi International Airport. She leads a hard-working team responsible for the health and safety of Nadi Airport’s passengers and staff.

Australia Awards collaborates with ACIAR & the Australia-Pacific Climate Alumni Network to host a panel discussion on careers in agriculture and climate change.

Awardees participate in the NSW Government Seminar Series, covering a range of policy topics.

Australia Awards Alumnus, Noa Seru presents at the University of South Pacific Careers Expo.