UQ and the Pacific

From good neighbours to strategic partners

As our closest international neighbours, UQ and the diverse countries of the Pacific share longstanding relationships. With an emphasis on medicine, health, science and international development, we are working together to strengthen economic , governance, health and social systems throughout the Pacific. One of the world’s most biodiverse regions, our collaborative efforts also contribute to understanding and protecting the oceans, crops and animals that its communities rely on.

Fast facts

Excludes Australia.



144

Students from the Pacific enrolled at UQ


311

Pacific-UQ co-publications


85

academic staff born in the Pacific


63

research project collaborations


2,148

alumni in the Pacific


9

agreements with 8 official partners

Fast facts show full year 2023 data. 

Collaboration in action

  • Dr Michelle Dunn explains the important role universities can play in developing and implementing effective aid programs in the Indo-Pacific region, while empowering communities and governments at all levels.
  • The University of Queensland has partnered with Papua New Guinea's largest technological institution to support sustainable development outcomes across the country’s resources sector.

  • The University of Queensland’s International Development and Sustainable Minerals Institute delivered a minerals policy and economics training course for emerging leaders in Papua New Guinea (PNG), together with The University of Western Australia, Curtin University, and HopgoodGanim Lawyers.
  • The University of Queensland’s (UQ) International Development has designed a customised leadership and management training program for fisheries leaders in the Pacific, together with Pacific Community (SPC) and two other partner organisations: Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) and the Centre for Adaptive Leadership (CLA).
  • The University of Queensland’s International Development has designed a customised leadership and management training program for fisheries leaders in the Pacific, together with Pacific Community (SPC) and two other partner organisations: Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) and the Centre for Adaptive Leadership (CLA).
  • As a new group of UQ medical students prepare to volunteer in Papua New Guinea, third-year medical student Rose Blackwood reflects on her experience as part of the project.

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Alumni

UQ has more than 2,148 alumni in the Pacific (excluding Australia). Alumni with strong links to the region include:

Papua New Guinea

Member of Parliament for Alotau electorate, Minister for Planning, Papua New Guinea (Bachelor of Economics, 1989)
Kiribati

President of Kiribati (Master of Economic Studies 2002)
Samoa

Law lecturer, School of Law University of South Pacific (PhD, 2013)
Fiji

Leader of the National Federation Party, Shadow Minister for Finance, Planning and National Statistics, Fiji (PhD 1998)
Papua New Guinea

Director of the Papua New Guinea National Research Institute (PhD Applied Economics 2013)
Papua New Guinea

Member of Parliament for Gazelle Open and Minister Transport & Infrastructure (Masters of Agribusiness 2002)
Kiribati

Commissioner of Police & Superintendent of Prison at Kiribati Police and Prison Service (Master of Philosophy 2004)
Brisbane/Tonga

Summer and Winter Olympian for Taekwondo and cross-country skiing representing Tonga (Bachelor of Engineering 2007)