The University of Fiji and the University of Bradford signed a Memorandum of Understanding by inaugurating a Peace Garden in Levuka this morning.
The unique ceremony was witnessed by the citizens of Levuka, chiefs of Ovalau and Moturiki and the Royal Society of Arts, whereby the University of Fiji and the University of Bradford signed a Memorandum of Understanding to develop joint projects in higher education including in formal and informal education.
The first collaboration between the two universities was the inauguration today of a Peace Garden on the site of the Masonic Lodge in Levuka built in 1913. The Lodge suffered a serious arson attack in 2000 and only the walls of the building still remain.
The University of Fiji had earlier been requested by the Levuka Town Council to suggest a use for the ruins. An MOU between the Levuka Town Council and UniFiji signed in October this year provided the basis for the request.
The new MOU between the University of Fiji and Bradford University gave the two universities on opposite sides of the world an opportunity to develop the Peace Garden as their first joint initiative. The site of the Peace Garden was gifted to the Levuka Town Council by Lodge Polynesia under a separate MOU.
The Vice Chancellors of the University of Fiji, Professor Shaista Shameem and the Vice Chancellor of Bradford University, Professor Shirley Congdon, by zoom, signed the MOU simultaneously.
Professor Shameem said UniFiji’s new partnership with Bradford gave both universities the chance to work together in areas of mutual interest such as student and staff exchanges, joint research and publications and artistic projects like the Peace Garden in Levuka.
She said that Bradford University’s reputation as a leader in Peace Studies Programmes internationally made the MOU proposal very attractive to UniFiji. The opportunity presented by the Levuka Town Council’s request for UniFiji to make something of the ruins of the Masonic Lodge was welcome.
The University was delighted to work with the Levuka Town Council’s Works Team and develop the Peace Garden to formally mark the signing ceremony and consolidate its partnership with both the Council and Bradford, she said. Introduction to Bradford’s programmes had initially been made by the British High Commisioner to Fiji, Dr Brian Jones. The two universities subsequently worked together to formalize the partnership through an MOU.
Speaking from Bradford University, Vice Chancellor Professor Shirley Congdon said that they are committed to this partnership and delighted to be able to participate in the activities to develop research funds, to facilitate research mobility, to support student exchange programs along with other initiatives.
“We once again congratulate you on this major initiative which will allow more people to have access to education, to utilize this education with the establishment of this seriously important initiative in Fiji.”
The formal signing of the MOU took place in the Queen Victoria Memorial Town Hall. The Peace Garden was inaugurated by the Chairperson of the Levuka Town Council Board, Mr Ben Naidu, who marked the occasion by switching on the water fountain in the Garden and unveiling a plaque after the ceremony.
The Royal Society of Arts Oceania Fellow Dr Erica Myers-Davis brought a message of support for the initiative from the RSA. In her address she said that this event highlights the power of collaborative innovation, a cornerstone of the RSA’s mission.
“The partnership between the Universities of Fiji and Bradford, the Levuka Town Council, and RSA Oceania demonstrates how working across disciplines and sectors can produce initiatives with profound local and global impact. The Peace Garden is proof of the importance of uniting people and ideas to create change.”
Also present at the event was the Acting British High Commissioner to Fiji Her Excellency Ms Nicola Noble and Second Secretary (Political) Isaac Greenwood.
The University has opened an office at Levuka for the purposes of providing support for their Levuka students and broad- based education to the people of Ovalau and Moturiki.
About 100 people witnessed the signing ceremony.
