A historic milestone took place yesterday at the University of the South Pacific (USP) Emalus Campus in Port Vila, marking the launch of the first Postgraduate Diploma Programme in Biology and Chemistry under the School of Agriculture, Geography, Environment, Oceans, and Natural Sciences.

This is the first programme of its kind in the region, providing Vanuatu students the opportunity to study advanced-level science, including chemistry and biology. Over 60 students have enrolled in the course, which will begin next Monday with two cohorts , one in biology and one in chemistry.

Professor Sharma, Head of the School of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Physics, said the programme is a major step toward building local scientific capacity in Vanuatu and the region, enabling students to tackle pressing climate change and environmental challenges.

“In this time of climate change, we want our locals to be qualified to find solutions to our unique problems and to do it together,” Professor Sharma said.

Lutricia Loli, a biology teacher at Malapoa College and one of the new students, described the programme as a valuable opportunity for teachers to upgrade their skills while continuing their professional development.

“This is to benefit the teachers specifically in content to upgrade our skills, and also our travels to go more, and to our young mother’s out there, school does not stop ,we can continue,” Loli said.

Minister of Education, Honorable Simil Johnson, highlighted the programme as a historic step for higher learning in Vanuatu, noting that it also marks the beginning of USP’s decentralisation across the Pacific region.

“This marks the beginning of decentralisation to other regional organisations of the USP, and this is the beginning that shows the potential of USP,” Minister Johnson said.

The Postgraduate Diploma Programme in Biology and Chemistry first two cohorts will run for one year from 2025 to 2026, opening further opportunities for Vanuatu students to access higher education and develop the next generation of local scientists.