𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐔 𝐕𝐢𝐜𝐞-𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐫 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜 𝐋𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐭 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐎𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐨

𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞

𝟐𝟎 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓

Solomon Islands National University (SINU) is proud to share that our Vice-Chancellor, Professor Transform Aqorau, delivered a powerful and thought-provoking keynote address as the distinguished speaker for the Annual Pacific Lecture at the University of Otago in Aotearoa New Zealand.

The lecture, entitled “Reimagining Pacific Futures: Transformative Leadership, Regional Solidarity, and the Role of Universities in a Changing World”, was a stirring call for action – urging Pacific peoples, governments, and academic institutions to take bold steps in leading their own development, grounded in Pacific values, wisdom, and unity.

From the outset, Professor Aqorau honoured the indigenous Māori hosts with a heartfelt greeting in te reo Māori, reinforcing the Pacific’s cultural bonds of kinship and shared ocean identity.

“We must not measure ourselves by the smallness of our islands, but by the greatness of our ocean.”
– Professor Transform Aqorau

Speaking on the topic “Charting a Pacific-Centred Vision of Development”, Professor Aqorau challenged the dominance of externally driven models of development and argued for “a second wave of decolonisation”—one that reclaims Pacific agency over political, economic, and knowledge systems.

Drawing from his decades of experience in regional leadership—including his pivotal role as founding CEO of the Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA)—Professor Aqorau shared transformative success stories that have shifted control back into the hands of Pacific nations.

“With vision and unity, we proved that small island states could rewrite the rules of global fisheries governance. That same spirit must now guide us in all areas of development.”

Speaking on the topic “Leading with Values, Integrity, and Accountability” Professor Aqorau highlighted the urgent need for values-based leadership rooted in indigenous principles of humility, service, and collective wellbeing. He then described how these values are being embedded in his reform efforts at SINU.

“When I became Vice-Chancellor of SINU, I committed to building an ‘oasis of good governance’. We declared zero tolerance for corruption—and we meant it. Today, we are rebuilding our university as a place of excellence, accountability, and ethical leadership.”

He emphasized that development must be people-centred, inclusive, and just—where women, youth, and vulnerable groups are empowered and never left behind.

Speaking on the topic “Regional Solidarity & Navigating Global Geopolitics” Professor Aqorau underscored the strength of Pacific regionalism, reminding the audience that “Wansolwara”—our shared ocean identity—must continue to unite our voices on the world stage.

“The Pacific is not a chessboard for others’ rivalries. We are sovereign nations with our own aspirations—and we must lead on our own terms.”

He called on the region to stay vigilant against divide-and-rule tactics and to harness the collective power of the Blue Pacific identity to assert control over ocean governance, climate diplomacy, and security.

Speaking on the topic “Empowering Pacific Futures through Education” Professor Aqorau highlighted the role of universities in shaping a sustainable and sovereign Pacific. He spoke passionately about the need to decolonise curricula, embrace digital innovation, and make ethical leadership training a core part of Pacific higher education.

“Universities must be more than degree factories. They should be sanctuaries of thought, spaces for dialogue, and engines of change.”

He envisioned SINU as a regional leader in innovation, ethics, and research—helping build capacity across the civil service, business, and civil society. He also called for stronger partnerships between universities in the Pacific and abroad, including student and academic mobility, joint degrees, and shared research initiatives.

Speaking on the topic “Facing the Climate Crisis with Courage and Compassion, Professor Aqorau said Climate change was described as the defining challenge of our time—and the Pacific’s moral call to the world.

“We are not drowning, we are fighting.” A rallying cry echoed by Professor Aqorau on behalf of Pacific youth.

He urged action at all levels—from grassroots adaptation to international climate justice—and praised the leadership of young Pacific Islanders, including those who recently won a United Nations vote to refer climate change and human rights to the International Court of Justice.

Speaking on the topic “A Vision for the Blue Pacific by 2050” Professor Aqprau laid out a hopeful and inspiring vision of a prosperous, peaceful, and united Blue Pacific Continent—anchored in tradition, driven by innovation, and guided by the wisdom of its people.

“Let us voyage by the lights of our principles and vision. Our ancestors crossed vast oceans guided by the stars—today, we must cross into a new future, guided by our values, unity, and resolve.”

This milestone event was part of a week-long official visit by Professor Aqorau to the University of Otago, where he also led a PacTNet Master Class, met with senior academic leaders to explore new strategic partnerships, and engaged with Pacific postgraduate students and scholars.

SINU extends its deep gratitude to the University of Otago and the Pacific Thought Network for their generous hospitality and support of Pacific knowledge leadership. We look forward to growing this academic partnership in the years ahead.

Read full speech here:Vice Chancellor Professor Transform Aqorau’s Speech for Otago University

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