A Fijian academic has taken the Pacific’s perspective on energy access and climate research to one of the world’s leading universities, calling for greater recognition of the needs and experiences of Small Island Developing States.
University of Fiji Associate Professor and Head of Science, Dr Ramendra Prasad, represented Fiji at the Africa Oxford Initiative and Transforming Energy Access Academic Symposium 2026 at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom on 7th and 8th September.
Dr Prasad, who is UniFiji’s Project Lead for the Transforming Energy Access–Learning Partnership project, contributed perspectives from Fiji and the wider Pacific during discussions on energy access, climate research and international research partnerships.
The two-day symposium brought together more than 150 academics, practitioners and innovators from the United Kingdom and the Global South to discuss how future research and academic partnerships in energy and climate can better respond to the needs of developing countries and communities.
The programme placed particular emphasis on equitable Global South–North collaboration and creating research partnerships that are mutually beneficial.
UniFiji Vice-Chancellor Professor Shaista Shameem says Dr Prasad’s participation highlights the importance of Pacific voices being included in international discussions on energy transition and climate action.
She says the unique experiences of Small Island Developing States can add value to international conversations and help create impact where it is needed most.
Dr Prasad participated in discussions on energy access, research priorities, partnership models and future collaboration, while also exploring opportunities for stronger links between Pacific institutions and international research networks.
The engagement is closely connected to UniFiji’s work in renewable energy, climate change, environmental science, data-driven modelling and sustainable development.
The university says the Oxford engagement has also created opportunities for potential joint research, postgraduate supervision, academic exchanges and future research and funding collaborations.
UniFiji says its participation reflects its wider effort to ensure locally grounded Pacific knowledge contributes to global energy and climate-transition discussions.
