ISSUE

F 2 E 0 B 2 R 0 UARY 2

IN THIS ISSUE ALUMNUS IS TONGAN MINISTER OF 02 SUCCESS EDUCATION STORIES

Hon. Siaosi 03 'Ofakivahafolau ALUMNI Sovaleni, PROFILES

The Hon. Siaosi 'Ofakivahafolau Sovaleni, Prior to his current role in the current Minister of Education & Training - King- Tongan Government; Hon. Sovaleni was dom of Tonga is an alumnus of The Uni- the Deputy Prime Minister, and the Min- versity of the South Pacific (USP); where ister for Meteorology, Environment, he obtained a Gold Medal for a Postgrad- Information, Disaster Management, 04 uate Diploma in Managers in Advanced Energy, Climate Change and Communi- WHERE Analytics Skills in 2008, and a Master of cations (MEIDECC). He is also the former ARE THEY Business Administration in 2009. Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Public Enterprises (MPE). He also led NOW? Hon. Sovaleni also studied in New Zea- the state-owned enterprises (SOE) re- land and England, where he received his form programme that focused on board Bachelor of Science (Honors) in Comput- governance, improved compliance and er Science, a minor in Mathematics from Auckland, New Zealand and his Master improved financial performance. Hon. of Science in Computation from Oxford, Sovaleni is a member of the electoral England. Constituency People's Representative for On February 19, 2020, the new entrance Tongatapu No. 3. at USP’s Laucala Campus, called “Uni- Hon. Sovaleni has held several key gov- versity Avenue” was opened by Hon. ernment and non-government positions Hon. Sovaleni has also previously served Sovaleni. This new entrance is for the throughout his career. He is a member as Deputy Team Leader, of the Tonga - improvement and maintenance of USP’s of the Pacific Internet Society (PICISOC); Asian Development Bank (ADB) Strategic estates and infrastructure, which works a former member of Pacific Computer Program for Climate Resilience (SPCR). towards providing enhanced accessibil- Emergency Response Team (PACCERT) He was Manager of the Pacific ICT Out- ity and to improve the social environ- and also a member of Regional ICT for reach Program (PICTO) at the Secretar- ment of USP’s campuses. The new USP Education Working Group. He is also cur- iat of the Pacific Community (SPC) and entrance fundamentally reshapes the rently a Board member, as the Pacific served more than 10 years as a senior orientation of the University towards representative, of the Commonwealth of official at the Ministry of Finance of the the Pacific Ocean; the ocean which sym- Learning (CoL). Kingdom of Tonga. bolises our common home.

VICE-CHANCELOR & PRESIDENT VIDEO LOG LINK AND SUMMARY | youtu.be/nVdyNehrECg 1 Success Stories

CBSI DEPUTY GOVERNOR IS AN ALUMNUS

Mr Raynold Micah Moveni, The Universi- Accounting, from USP, in 1996. ty of the South Pacific (USP) alumnus has been appointed for a six (6) year term as Prior to his appointment as Deputy Gov- the Deputy Governor of the Central Bank ernor, Mr Moveni was the Chief Manag- of Solomon Islands (CBSI). This appoint- er for the Financial Systems Regulations ment was made by the Solomon Islands Department (FSRD) at CBSI, for 11 years. Government through the Minister of Fi- He has been with the Central Bank for nance and Treasury and is effective since more than 20 years, holding various posi- January 30, 2020. He is the sixth Solomon tions within the economics and financial Islander to hold the position as Deputy supervision and regulations office. He ini- Governor to CBSI. tially joined the economics department in Mr Moveni is married to Neroly Toa- 1999 as an analyst, rotating around dif- ta-Moveni and they have three children. ferent units within the department and He is from Megoju Village, Dovele on Vel- for a brief period was acting as the As- la la Vella Island, in the Western Province sistant Manager for the department, be- of Solomon Islands. fore switching to the financial regulation and supervision department. In 2006, he He holds a postgraduate qualification in worked as an Advisor to the Executive Economics and Econometrics from Uni- Director at the International Monetary versity of Sydney, Australia in 2012, and Fund (IMF) in Washington DC, the United his undergraduate level includes quali- States for two years, and returned to lead fications in Digital Money at the Fletch- the financial markets and supervision de- er School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts Raynold Micah Moveni partment up until his latest appointment. University, the United States in 2015, Civil Photo credit: Solomon Star News Law from USP in 2007 and Economics and

ALUMNUS IS PERMANENT SECRETARY

David Kolitagane, Fiji’s Permanent Sec- their overall services. retary for Agriculture is an alumnus of The University of the South Pacific (USP) Prior to this position, Mr Kolitangane was where he received a Bachelor of Arts de- the acting Permanent Secretary for Rural gree, majoring in Economics from 1999. and Maritime Development.

During the Ministry’s Strategic Develop- Mr Kolitagane also has extensive expe- ment Plan Workshop in July 2019, in Nadi, rience holding multiple portfolios and Mr Kolitangane spoke about the gap in board positions including that in the the Ministry’s service delivery and shared Amalgamated Telecom Holdings Ltd. It plans on how to improve it by addressing was due to his proven performance, that stakeholder complaints in a timely man- the Public Service Commission (PSC) be- ner. He also spoke about enhancing their lieves that Mr Kolitagane is the ideal can- didate to take this portfolio to its next business functions and work practices David Kolitagane level and help fulfil the plans in this area. which will contribute towards improving Photo credit: Fiji Sun

ALUMNI ISSUE nov-dec NEWS 6 2019 ISSUE 1 2017 Prime Minister is USP Alumnus 2 i-KIRIBATI ALUMNUS ADVOCATES ALUMNI NEWS & HIGHLIGHTS FOR CLIMATE CHANGE FOR PREVIOUS Tuvalu is the moving to Kiribati as an Assistant Secretary frontline of in Foreign Affairs. That started her journey in International Relations. the climate She felt inspired working in Kiribati. “Kiribati is ´JKWDQGDVD a small country and your contribution is more NEWSLETTERS, valued and you feel you are really making a country we have difference.” 8 ALUMNI DIARY contributed the Talking about climate change, HE Rimon says, OHDVWWRJOREDO “Climate change is a global issue but affects CHECK OUT countries with different degrees especially those HPLVVLRQV such as Kiribati and Tuvalu that are low lying.” but we still This complicates the equation even more since the proposal of relocation is on the table for the do our part to people of Kiribati. She echos what all Pacific implement Paris Islanders would identify with – “We have a and reduce our spiritual connection to the land. It’s part of us.” 9 No one would be keen to leave a place they want IN BRIEF www.alumni.usp.ac.fj reliance on fossil HE Reteta Rimon to stay in which is why HE Rimon and the Kiribati government are looking at other options. fuels.” Her Excellency Reteta Rimon is the Kiribati “We are trying to maintain our islands by getting High Commissioner to Fiji and well known for outside innovations, technical assistance, and advocating for climate change for Kiribati and financial support to help us keep the islands.” capacity building activities, and to the Pacific Islands. HE Rimon is working closely with the international Prime Minister of Tuvalu Kausea Natano focus on adaptation and mitigation She came to The University of the South Pacific counterparts exploring all options to tackle (Photo Credit: Tuvalu Government) from the effects of Climate Change. (USP) to do her Diploma in Education in 1978 climate change. “Relocation is the last option. USP alumnus, Honourable Kausea Climate Change, and sea water level Natano is the thirteenth (13th) Prime on a Fiji government scholarship and later We don’t want to be refugees and are upskilling and has been a high-profi le cham- rise in particular is a serious issue for our people so they can be easily marketable 10 Minister of Tuvalu and was voted into Tuvalu as the highest point of eleva- completed a Bachelor of Arts in History and Prime Ministership on 19 Septem- pion for action on climate change, Politics in 1987. The present Vice-Chancellor overseas. So that they will not be looked down ALUMNI co-chairing the United Nations cli- tion on Tuvalu is just 4.50 metres, and ber, 2019 by ten (10) of the country’s the average elevation is just 1.80 me- and President, Professor Rajesh Chandra was upon as burden – so that they can contribute to PROFILES mate change summit in 2014 and 16 Members of Parliament to form a tres above sea level. This makes Tuva- one of her Lecturers along with Professor Konai their adopted country.” new government. He also serves as a has vowed to continue the country’s climate change advocacy. He said his lu vulnerable to rising sea levels. Thaman, Professor Vijay Naidu, and Professor Member of Parliament for , 2 On the University, HE Rimon says, “USP is region’s government will carry on Tuvalu’s “As we have said often, if we save Tu- the capital Tuvalu. Subramani. premier institution. USP will continue to be very leadership in the climate arena. valu, we save the world,’’ said Pacifi c Prime Minister Kausea Natano is a She states her years at USP as the most important in addressing the contemporary “Tuvalu is in the frontline of the cli- Islands Forum Chair, Prime Minister issues as long as it remains relevant in kinds of prestigious alumnus of The Universi- Natano. enjoyable time of her life. During her time at the ty of the South Pacifi c (USP); where he mate fi ght, and as a country we have programmes it offers and the quality.” University she was part of the USP choir which obtained his Bachelor of Arts Degree contributed the least to global emis- Prime Minister Natano is also Tu- was similar to the present day Pasifika Voices. It in Management in 1999. sions, but we still do our part to im- valu’s longest-serving Member of Aptly she mentions, “we are young nations but plement Paris Agreement and reduce had members from different countries and HE 12 Parliament, who also has previous- we need to catch up very quickly. We don’t want WHERE ARE Before entering politics, Natano was our reliance on fossil fuels,” Prime ly held ministerial appointments Rimon remembers travelling to Niue, Tonga, to be left behind. We need to assert ourselves as Director of Customs and also served Minister Natano said. in Communications, Transport, and Samoa, and American Samoa to sing and dance THEY NOW as Assistant Secretary in the Ministry masters of our own destiny.” In the current government, Climate Public Utilities. He has also served as to showcase the multiculturalism and diversity of of Finance and Economic Planning, the country’s Deputy Prime Minister She has spent twelve (12) years as the High Change is allocated under the Minis- the University. try of Finance in order to better drive and Minister for Communications in Commissioner to Fiji. former Prime Minister ’s She worked as a High School teacher in Fiji for Cabinet. thirteen (13) years after her graduation before 1 3 Alumnus is Solomon 5 Islands High ALUMNI 7 Commissioner PROFILE WHERE ARE 8 in this issue to Fiji THEY NOW? STORIES IN 9 PICTURES STAY CONNECTED Alumni Profiles

Pranit Shusil › Fiji - General Manager, Poly Products (Fiji) Pte Limited Postgraduate Certificate in Business Administration in 2017 Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration in 2018 Master of Business Admin 2019

While considering my educational options, USP’s MBA Programme with its affiliation to the Association of MBAs (AMBA) and being the top ten (10) Universities in the Pacific was enough to convince me to choose USP."

What memories do you have of your The calibre of lecturers was the best part Google Scholar webpage to be set as University student life and what in- as they seemed to know what to deliver the default webpage of your browser as spired you during your studies at USP? and provided real-life examples. The it contains a vast variety of interesting examples that the lecturers used made scholarly articles for both studies and As a working student, university student learning about work-life easier and un- leisure. life was limited to class time or group derstandable and relatable. discussions. Nevertheless, it always Where do you see yourself in five (5) worked out as I was always looking Describe your present job and what years (career and or personal goals)? forward to attending class sessions as you enjoy about it. meeting classmates (who were mostly To be in a senior managerial position in working students) also served as social Since the Managing Director resides in one of the multinational companies and networking so it helped me to unwind Auckland. In my job capacity as the Gen- work towards getting a doctorate de- from work and learn new things. eral Manager, I oversee the day to day gree. running of the company along with exe- Being able to learn new things from cuting company decisions and directions Please share three tips that you think the literature and ideas shared in-class after discussions with the director. would be important for current stu- discussion was a major reason to look dents and recent graduates that will I am also committed to learning new forward to classes. Diverse ideas from help them start out on their career different people can become helpful in things and ensuring that I personally paths. one’s workplace. oversee the running of the company as if it were mine and do not see myself as an 1. Don’t expect to be given a higher po- Why did you choose USP and your field employee. It is through this mindset that sition and salary at the beginning of of study? I am able to make decisions. It is because your career. It’s always good to start of this personal attachment I believe I from a junior position and then show I was promoted to a management po- have certain leverage in making deci- your superiors what your capabil- sition, and at that time my educational sions that I feel are for the betterment of ities are and get them to offer you background was limited to engineer- the company. ing, I took the onus on myself to ensure promotions. I gained management qualification to What literature or subscriptions 2. Don’t think of any company as small supplement my work. While considering would you recommend for graduates or big if they are giving you an op- my educational options, USP’s MBA Pro- (books/blogs/magazines)? gramme with its affiliation to the Associ- portunity to work. There are compa- ation of MBAs (AMBA) and being the top Who Moved My Cheese by Spencer nies that keep a low profile but are ten (10) Universities in the Pacific was Johnson is a book I recommend for any- big players in their area of business. enough to convince me to choose USP. body as it is about being able to identify changes and be able to face it. 3. Work with ethics and honesty and let How did USP prepare you in your ca- your conscience ensure that you do reer? I would also strongly recommend the good. This will help a lot in life.

3 Where are they now?

1970 Lemalu Ray Ah Liki Dr Lonise Tanielu Graduation: Bachelor of Agriculture in Graduation: Bachelor of Arts in Edu- 1979 from USP cation and Geography in 1978 from USP Country: Samoa and received her PhD from the University Occupation: Managing Director of of Auckland in 2004 Samoa Commercial Bank, Country: Samoa Samoa Occupation: Manager Mataaga Aoga Amata Education & Care Services, Grey Lynn, The University of Auckland, New Zealand.

1980 Kenneth Fakamuria Natan Brechtefeld Graduation: Bachelor of Science Graduation: Professional Diploma in Graduate and Certificate Legislative Drafting in in Education in 1981 from 1999 from USP USP Country: Kiribati Country: Vanuatu Occupation: Attorney General, Kiribati Occupation: Casual Lecturer at Holmes Institute, Australia and a Lecturer at the Charles Sturt University, Australia.

1990 Fepuleai Roma Mere Taito Graduation: Bachelor of Law (LLB) in Graduation: Bachelor of Arts majoring 1998 from USP in History with Language Country: Samoa in 1994 from USP Occupation: Supreme Court Justice, Country: Fiji Samoa Occupation: Taught academic language skills at USP before joining as a Senior Tutor at the University of Waikato, New Zealand

2000 www.facebook.com/USPAlumniNetwork Viresh Chandra Mereia Carling Graduation: Bachelor of Science 2002 Graduation: Postgrad Diploma in De- Postgraduate Diploma in velopment Studies in 2007 Computing Science in 2006 Masters in Development Master of Computing and Studies in 2010 from USP Information Systems in Country: Fiji 2017 from USP Occupation: Senior Advisor Inclusive De- Country: Fiji velopment - Child and Youth Occupation: Head of Information Wellbeing at New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & to your Technology at BSP Life, Fiji Trade Donate Alma Mater! 2010 Jesse S. Mihkel Sanjani Swaroop Graduation: Bachelor of Laws (LLB) Graduation: Bachelor of Commerce in in 2018 Professional 2012 from USP Diploma in Legal Practice Country: Fiji (PDLP) in 2019 from USP Occupation: Learning and Country: The Federated States of Development Manager at Micronesia Vinod Patel Group Occupation: Assistant Attorney-Gen- eral at the Department of Justice of the FSM Nation- al Government

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