Join us for the Oceania Institute’s Inaugural Oceania Oration, "Securing and Sustaining Our Pacific – What Will This Take?", with guest speaker Professor Biman Prasad – Fijian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Strategic Planning, National Development and Statistics Fiji.

The University of Melbourne is deeply committed to partnerships across Oceania. We recognise that our futures are interconnected and that collaboration is essential to addressing the region’s challenges and opportunities.

Established in 2024, the Oceania Institute fosters stronger connections in research, education, and innovation, bringing together institutions and communities across the Pacific.

Professor Biman Prasad is a leading thinker from the region and will speak in person on the changing geopolitics that are influencing development in Fiji and the implications for issues including education, health, development assistance, food security, and politics.

About the speaker

Professor Biman Prasad is a prominent figure in Fijian politics and academia, serving as the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance since December 2022. With a deep-rooted passion for democracy, good governance, rule of law, human rights, media freedom, inclusive development and social justice, Professor Prasad has dedicated his whole life to bring positive political and socio-economic change to Fiji. Professor Prasad pursued his academic journey, achieving remarkable success both locally and internationally. He holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Queensland in Australia and rose through the ranks to become a Professor of Economics at an early age and the Dean of the Business and Economics Faculty at the University of the South Pacific. He currently holds an Adjunct Professorship at the James Cook University and is an Adjunct Research Professor at Monash University in Australia. He has written several books and articles during his academic career and continues to take keen interest in research and publication.

The oration will take place from 5.30pm - 6.45pm, followed by light refreshments.

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