Dr. Apisalome Movono has been appointed by the Board of Directors as the Tertiary Scholarships and Loans Service's new Chief Executive Officer, effective from last Friday.
The appointment followed a rigorous and competitive recruitment process, conducted by the TSLS Board in accordance with the provisions of the TSLS Act and established principles of good governance.
Dr. Movono brings to TSLS extensive experience in education leadership, public sector reform, and strategic policy development, with a strong background in tertiary education systems, organisational leadership, and stakeholder engagement.
His appointment is expected to further strengthen TSLS’s role in supporting equitable access to tertiary education and skills development for Fijians.
Dr. Movono holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Tourism Management from Griffith University, Australia, a Master of Arts in Tourism Studies, a Postgraduate Certificate in Tertiary Teaching, and a Bachelor of Arts in Marine Affairs and Tourism Studies in 2009, where he was awarded the Gold Medal and Vice-Chancellor’s Award for the most outstanding all-round student with combined academic performance, and exceptional service rendered to the community, as well as the Gold Medal for Outstanding Bachelor of Arts Student in Tourism Studies in recognition of academic excellence.
He is a member of the World Indigenous Tourism Alliance and served as Lead Expert for the International Tourism Panel on Climate Change.
Dr Movono has held senior academic and leadership roles in New Zealand and Australia, including, more recently, as Associate Professor at the University of the South Pacific.
He has served on high-level national and regional review committees, including the Fiji Integrated Rural Development Framework Review, the Fiji Great Council of Chiefs Review, and the Fijian Administration Review.
Dr. Movono has also contributed to scholarship governance as a senior member of the Massey University Scholarship Committee and Royal Society of New Zealand Marsden Selection Panel, overseeing multi-million-dollar funding portfolios.
Dr. Movono is a widely published researcher, with multiple peer-reviewed journal articles and book contributions focusing on public policy, tourism resilience, education access, and sustainable development in the Pacific, and is recognised for his work in institutional strengthening, policy reform, and governance-focused programme oversight.
The Board looks forward to a new phase of growth for TSLS under Dr. Movono’s leadership, with a shared aspiration to further strengthen the organisation’s impact, innovation, and public trust.
