The Fijian government has approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Forestry and the University of the South Pacific (USP) for collaboration and support in the development of the forestry sector. The MoU will facilitate scientific, technological, training, environmental aspects and expertise for the forestry industry. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka said that the Ministry wants to establish a close collaborative relationship with universities to enable the Ministry formal advice to USP about any knowledge and skills gaps in the forestry sector. This will help the university bridge any gaps and adapt to the fast-paced growth of the forestry industry.
The Fijian Ministry of Forestry intends to encourage the Research and Development Divisions of the Ministry to engage in more applied research technologies and publish more research reports. This will enable the Ministry’s staff to be better equipped and more qualified, thereby making them more effective in contributing to the Strategic Development Goals of the Ministry and the Government.
The partnership with USP will also enable the Ministry to have access to research equipment and the latest technology in forest mapping, monitoring, surveillance and risk management, which will enhance the current efforts towards developing a national sustainable forest management plan. The Ministry is also discussing a similar opportunity with the Fiji National University.
The forestry sector in Fiji continues to grow rapidly, with the implementation of several sustainable forest management initiatives. The sector is critical in providing impetus to the country’s economic growth in the long term. Therefore, the partnership between the Fijian Ministry of Forestry and USP, along with the agreement still being discussed with the Fiji National University, is a significant development that will no doubt contribute significantly to the growth of the country’s economy.
