From good neighbours to strategic partners
The Pacific is central to UQ’s global engagement—as neighbours, partners and collaborators. Built on long-standing relationships across the region, UQ works with Pacific partners in medicine, health, science and international development to strengthen economic, governance and social systems. Through collaborative research in one of the world’s most biodiverse regions, we also support the protection of oceans, crops and ecosystems that Pacific communities depend on—advancing shared resilience and sustainable futures.
Fast facts
Dataset includes Fiji, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu.
97
Students from the Pacific enrolled at UQ
43
Pacific-UQ co-publications
11
academic staff born in the Pacific
6
research project collaborations
1,168
alumni in the Pacific
11
agreements with 11 official partners
Fast facts show full year 2025 data.
Collaboration in action
- Torres Strait Islander peoples intend to live on their traditional country long-term. Living on the northernmost islands of Queensland allows these “saltwater people” to maintain their cultural responsibilities, identity and kinship connections.
- At our most recent ChangeMakers event, we heard from three UQ graduates working in development, sustainability and national security to discuss why our Pacific neighbours are so important.
- Last month, The University of Queensland (UQ) hosted the 2021 Research Development Impact (RDI) Conference. Held online, this year’s Conference focused on the future of sustainable development and socio-economic recovery in the Pacific and Southeast Asia regions.
- By uprooting carbon trapped in soil, wild pigs are releasing around 4.9 million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide annually across the globe, the equivalent of 1.1 million cars.
- University of Queensland researcher Dr Kayvan Etebari has been studying how palm-loving coconut rhinoceros beetles have been accelerating their invasion.
- Promotion video South Pacific Islander Association - UQ SPIA - 2021
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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: