Young girls inspired to explore science and technology to shape Fiji’s future

High school students from Suva were inspired and empowered at the University of the South Pacific’s Global Women’s Breakfast 2026 event encouraging young women to pursue careers in science and technology and believe in their potential to shape Fiji’s future.

The initiative forms part of a global celebration hosted by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry to recognise the achievements of women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, while encouraging the next generation to take up STEM subjects and pursue careers in these critical fields.

Jessica Rohindra, a Bachelor of Science student majoring in Physics and Chemistry at USP, says she was honoured to be part of the Global Women’s Breakfast 2026 hosted at the Laucala Campus.

She encourages girls to believe that their curiosity and passion can take them anywhere, stressing that women belong in STEM and have the power to shape the future of science and technology in the Pacific.

Rohindra adds that initiatives such as the Global Women’s Breakfast provide mentorship and support, emphasising the need for more opportunities and stronger networks so women can contribute to innovation and solutions for Fiji and the wider Pacific.

Also sharing her journey was Adi Rotuisolia, a fourth-year Bachelor of Networks and Security student, who said her passion for cybersecurity was driven by the growing need to protect digital systems across the Pacific.

She says she chose Networks and Security because technology is becoming part of every industry and protecting information is increasingly important, adding that she hopes to strengthen cybersecurity systems in Fiji and the wider Pacific as digital infrastructure expands.

Rotuisolia shares that although transitioning from high school to university was challenging at first, with support from her family, lecturers and friends she gained confidence in her abilities.

She says her goal is to work in cybersecurity and help build safer digital spaces for the region.

Director of the Geospatial Information Management Division at the Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources, Meizyanne Hicks, stresses STEM careers open doors to innovation, leadership and national development in Fiji and the Pacific.

She encourages young women to explore these fields with confidence, stressing that their perspectives and skills are essential in building resilient communities and shaping Fiji’s future.

STEMP academic Priynka Sharma adds that such initiatives create a space for students to ask questions, learn from the experiences of professional women and see themselves represented in fields they may not have previously considered.

She says it is about planting the seeds for the next generation of Pacific leaders in science.

University of the South Pacific says Women in STEM Society (WISS) also organises outreach visits to secondary schools, panel discussions with women professionals and skills-based training aimed at building confidence in areas such as public speaking, innovation and entrepreneurship.

They say through these initiatives, WISS provides a strong support network to help students navigate academic challenges, access career pathways and connect with industry and research leaders.