The University of Fiji and the University of Bradford in the United Kingdom are planning to sign a Memorandum of Understanding on the Peace Studies Programme to establish an academic relationship in the field of peace studies and international development.
In a statement, UniFiji says the University of Bradford has gained international recognition for its pre-eminent Peace Studies Programme.
UniFiji says the two universities believe this partnership will contribute significantly to the global discourse on peace and international development.
UniFiji's Vice Chancellor, Professor Shaista Shameem says the institution's partnership with the University of Bradford was conceived in response to a visit by senior academic Dr. Colins Imoh from the Department of Peace Studies and International Development along with other academics from renowned British universities.
Professor Shameem says the visit was facilitated by the UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, with the Fiji Ministry of Foreign endorsement.
She says the main objective of the visit was to produce research that will benefit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in pursuing the Pacific as a Zone of Peace, both within and beyond Fiji.
Professor Shameem says this aligns with Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka's proposal for an 'Ocean of Peace' as a vision for the Pacific region, which he urged the rest of the world to embrace.
Professor Shameem emphasized that they have always prioritised peace as a crucial component of its educational curriculum due to the University’s human values foundation of education.
Professor Vishanth Weerakkody, Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Global Engagement and Partnerships at the University of Bradford, says they have been educating and shaping the careers of global leaders for five decades.
Meanwhile, Professor Shameem will attend the 50th-anniversary conference on June 8th at Bradford University to celebrate peace and commemorate efforts towards sustainable conflict.
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