Pacific Academy of Sciences launch: Harnessing the knowledge of the Pacific

The Academy will advance the natural and social sciences, the humanities, indigenous knowledge, and technology for the benefit of the Pacific Islands region and beyond.

“We are proud to be supporting this important initiative to promote science and research throughout the Pacific," said President of the Royal Society Te Apārangi, Distinguished Professor Dame Jane Harding DNZM FRACP FRSNZ.

 “Today’s challenges transcend borders,” the Prime Minister of Samoa Hon. Fiame Dr Naomi Mata’afa said.

“They require international collaboration among scientists and experts of all disciplines to curate knowledge and scientific evidence that can inform public policy and guide our actions.

"The launch of the Pacific Academy of Sciences marks an important milestone in establishing a regional collaboration in the pursuit of knowledge for a prosperous and thriving Pacific Islands region.”

“I offer my warmest congratulations to the newly elected Foundation Fellows who have the important and historic opportunity to advance the Pacific Academy of Sciences and give voice to science in and from the Pacific Islands,” Prime Minister Mata’afa said.

“Now, more than ever before, the Pacific Islands has a mechanism to draw on its rich and unique knowledge of our region and its people to positively influence global decisions.”

The launch of the Pacific Academy of Sciences has been facilitated by the National University of Samoa and the International Science Council Regional Focal Point for Asia and the Pacific led by the Australian Academy of Science with the support of the Royal Society Te Apārangi and Sasakawa Peace Foundation.

The Foundation Fellows are:

• Professor Tuifuisaʻa Patila Amosa, President of the National University of Samoa
• Professor Palatasa (Tasa) Havea, Dean Pacific at Massey Univesity 
• Dr Bwarenaba Kautu, Assistant Professor of Biology at Greenville University
• Dr Transform Aqorau, Vice Chancellor of Solomon Islands National University
• Professor Jodie Hunter, Professor of Mathematics Education at Massey University
• Professor Maretta Kula-Semos, Director of Higher Degrees at Divine World University, Papua New Guinea
• Professor Macquin Maino, Head of the School of Agriculture at Papua New Guinea University of Technology
• Professor Teatulohi (Lohi) Mataunaho, President of the Pacific Academy of Sciences and Vice Chancellor of Pacific Adventist University, Papua New Guinea
• Professor Steven Ratuva, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Pacific at the University of Canterbury
• Professor Jemaima Tiatia-Siau, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Pacific at the University of Auckland 
• Professor Ioana Tuugalei Chan Mow, Professor of Computing and Computer Education at the National University of Samoa
• Professor Jito Vanualailai, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President of Education at the Univesity of the South Pacific 
• Sir Peter Gluckman, President of the International Science Council. 
   
  
  

For Media:

A media pack, including photos from the launch, media releases in English and French, and a video news release and associated b-roll, is available on the International Science Council's website.