The Acting Pro-Chancellor and Chair of Council, Emeritus Professor Pat Walsh announces that The University of the South Pacific at its 98th Council meeting on Monday 25 November 2024 in Rarotonga, Cook Islands appointed Mr Siosiua Tuitalukua Tupou Utoikamanu to the Office of the Pro-Chancellor and Chair of Council for a three-year term commencing 27 November 2024 until 26 November 2027.
Mr Siosiua Tuitalukua Tupou Utoikamanu is an accomplished international development professional with over forty (40) years of experience in the areas of public financial management, public administration reform, good governance, project management and independent consultancy. He has worked in the Kingdom of Tonga, Republic of Fiji, Tuvalu, Niue, Samoa, Republic of Nauru, Cook Islands, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Republic of Vanuatu and Solomon Islands. He is no stranger to The University of the South Pacific, having served as Director, Pacific Islands Center for Public Administration (PICPA) between 2012 and 2015.
Mr Utoikamanu is an alumnus of The University of the South Pacific having completed his Preliminary Program in 1974. His qualifications include Masters of Social Science (Development Finance) (MSocSc), Birmingham University (1983), UK; Masters of Commerce & Administration (MCA) (1982), Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand; Bachelor of Commerce & Administration, (BCA(Hons)) (1979), Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand and Bachelor of Commerce & Administration (BCA) (1978), Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand.
His professional memberships and appointments include Member of the American Economic Association; Member of Asia and the Pacific Policy Society, Australian National University; Member of Legal and Technical Commission, International Seabed Authority; Director, Pacific Catastrophe Risk Insurance Company and Member, Kingdom of Tonga Privy Council
Mr Utoikamanu has published in the areas of fiscal governance, public sector management and economics.
The Acting Pro-Chancellor and Chair of Council, Emeritus Professor Pat Walsh said the University of the South Pacific is extremely fortunate and honored that such a renowned international development professional with impeccable credentials is assuming the role of Pro-Chancellor and Chair of Council as the University embarks into the next phase of its development.