The University of the South Pacific Council made the following appointments at its meeting held on 19 and 20 May 2022, after an international search was conducted.
- Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Education) – Professor Jito Vanualailai
Professor Jito Vanualailai was appointed as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Education) and member of the University’s Senior Management Team after having served in the role in an acting capacity for the past two (2) years.
Professor Jito Vanualailai has been with the University for a total of 28 years and has held senior strategic academic and administrative roles within the University spanning 18 years. These roles are: Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education); Director of Research; Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Affairs and Head of School of Computing, Information & Mathematical Sciences.
Professor Vanualailai holds a PhD in Applied Mathematics (Mathematical Control Theory) from Kobe University, Kobe, Japan, a Master of Engineering from The University of the Ryukyus, Japan and an undergraduate degree from The University of the South Pacific.
- Executive Director People and Workforce Strategy – Mr Jone Maritino Nemani
Mr Jone Maritino Nemani was appointed as the Executive Director People and Workforce Strategy and member of the University’s Senior Management Team after joining USP and assuming the role in 2020.
Mr Nemani possesses a total of 36 years of work experience with 26 years of practising strategic human resources and employment relations in large organisations domestically, regionally and internationally interspersed with consultancies and teaching at tertiary level.
Mr Nemani holds a Master of Commerce (HR and Business) from the University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia and undergraduate qualifications from The University of the South Pacific.
- Secretary to Council and Manager Council and Senate Secretariat – Mr Totivi D Bokini-Ratu
Mr Totivi D Bokini-Ratu was appointed as the Secretary to Council and Manager Council and Senate Secretariat after having served in the role in an acting capacity for the past ten and a half months. He has served the University for the past 15 years since joining as a Quality Assurance Officer in the Planning and Quality Office in 2007.
Mr Bokini-Ratu possesses 30 years of experience in tertiary educational management, secondary school teaching and administration, and quality assurance.
Mr Bokini-Ratu holds a Master’s of Business Administration, Postgraduate Diploma and Certificate qualifications in Business Administration and an undergraduate degree from The University of the South Pacific.
We congratulate all three new appointments and look forward to them continuing to serve the University.