The University of the South Pacific (USP) concluded its Laucala graduation ceremonies in Suva, Fiji today, as another wave of graduates proudly crossed the stage in celebration of academic achievement and Pacific heritage.
Today’s ceremony saw hundreds more students join USP’s growing alumni community, bringing the total number of graduates to 1,115 across the two-day event.
Of these, 767 are female graduates. This reflects the University’s continued commitment to gender equity in higher education.
Graduates hailed from across the Pacific region, highlighting the diversity and shared vision of USP’s 12 member countries and beyond.
The second day featured students from the School of Pacific Arts, Communication and Education (SPACE), School of Law and Social Sciences (SoLaSS), Centre for Sustainable Futures (CSF), and the School of Accounting, Finance and Economics (SAFE).
In his address, Pro-Chancellor and Chair of Council, Siosiua Tuitalukua Tupou Utoikamanu, congratulated the graduates and urged them to carry forward the Pacific vision of education.
USP was born out of Pacific leadership, regional unity, and a shared belief in the transformative power of education. Today, we are not simply resetting – we are resetting with purpose, guided by ancestral wisdom, contemporary knowledge, and the lived realities of our region.
To our graduates, you leave today not just with a degree, but with a responsibility: to shape a Pacific that is challenged yet full of promise, and to carry forward the dreams of your families, nations, and region.
Utoikamanu
For many students, the day was not only about receiving their certificates, but also about honouring the sacrifices and support of their families.
Graduating with a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts, Ashika Arti Lata described the moment as life-changing.
Walking across the stage today, I felt the weight of every challenge I’ve overcome. With the support of my parents, family, and husband, I was able to continue my studies, and today I stand here for them as much as for myself. This achievement is especially my father’s dream, and I am proud to be living it by graduating with two degrees.
Lata
Post Graduate Diploma in Diplomacy and International Affairs graduate, Aytron Tatui, described the moment as an accomplishment.
Walking across the stage today, I felt the weight of every challenge I’ve overcome. This degree is more than a certificate – it’s a promise that I can go back to my community and give back through knowledge and service.
Tatui
USP’s September graduation reaffirmed the institution’s role as the Pacific’s premier centre of higher education, producing graduates who will lead, innovate, and inspire across the region.
The next USP graduations will be held in the Solomon Islands and Tonga, further underscoring the University’s regional character and reach.