Shaping Pacific Futures - The 2022 ANU Pacific Institute Annual Lecture

The 2022 ANU Pacific Institute Annual Lecture - Shaping Pacific Futures is presented by Professor Pal Ahluwalia, President and Vice Chancellor of the University of the South Pacific.

 

For over 50 years, the University of the South Pacific (USP) has served the region and its nations through teaching and research excellence. This is a product of its strong international relations, world-class research and, most importantly, experience in digital delivery amongst its 14 campuses. In its journey over the years the regional university has had to overcome unique challenges.

 

In honour of the partnerships and collaborations between USP and ANU, and the leadership of USP in the region - join the Pacific Institute in talanoa with the Vice Chancellor Professor Ahluwalia celebrating the university theme 'Shaping Pacific Futures'. 

 

Audience members will have the opportunity for a Q&A session with VC Ahluwalia, followed by light refreshments.

 

This event will be recorded, and made available on the ANU Pacific Institute website shortly afterwards.

 

Professor Pal Ahluwalia has always had a deep interest in the complexities of identity formation, yet his own upbringing and professional career reflects a myriad of cultural influences. He was born in Kenya, schooled in Canada, received a Bachelors degree and a Master of Arts from the University of Saskatchewan, and then completed his PhD at Flinders University in Adelaide. He was subsequently at Adelaide University for 14 years, finishing as Professor of the Politics Department, then Visiting Professor with the University of California Berkeley, and Professor with the Goldsmiths College at the University of London, where he was also Director of the Centre for Postcolonial Studies.

 

Prior to commencing as Pro Vice Chancellor, at the University of South Australia Professor Ahluwalia was Research SA Chair and Professor of Post-Colonial Studies in the Hawke Research Institute and Director of the Centre for Post-Colonial Studies. At the same time he was a Professor in the Department of Ethnic Studies at the University of California. 

 

His main research interests lie in the areas of African studies, social and cultural theory, in particular, postcolonial theory and the processes of diaspora, exile, and migration.

 

On 14 October 2008, Professor Ahluwalia was appointed a UNESCO Chair in Transnational Diasporas and Reconciliation Studies.

 

From 2014-2018 he served as Pro Vice Chancellor Research and Innovation at the University of Portsmouth before being appointed as Vice Chancellor and President of the University of the South Pacific.