Fiji Parliament advances bill to create church-led regional university

Fiji's Parliament is accelerating the review of the Pacifica Communities University Bill 2026, a move that would elevate the Pacific Theological College to a fully recognized regional university under Fijian law. The government champions this reform as a necessary response to what it identifies as growing social and moral strain across Fiji and the broader Pacific region.

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The new university would help rebuild values, leadership and identity through indigenous knowledge, faith-based teaching and Pacific traditions.

Education Minister Aseri Radrodro told Parliament that the bill is designed to counteract societal moral fragmentation by fostering values, leadership, and identity through indigenous knowledge, faith-based education, and Pacific traditions. He explained that the Pacific Theological College, established 65 years ago as a charitable trust, requires a more robust legal framework to operate effectively as a modern university. The proposed legislation would establish the Pacifica Communities University as a statutory body, enabling it to expand its academic offerings beyond theology into areas like indigenous knowledge, community development, and skills training, while maintaining its Pacific and faith-based ethos.

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Global tourism is shifting towards indigenous and cultural experiences. Visitors are now seeking authentic Pacific traditions and community life.

Deputy Prime Minister Viliame Gavoka linked the university's establishment to the future of Fiji's tourism sector, noting a global shift towards indigenous and cultural experiences. He cautioned that some cultural practices are at risk of disappearing without proper transmission, citing an example where a ritual had not been performed for nearly 50 years, with only one elder remembering its details. This underscores the importance of preserving and transmitting traditions.

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This shows how easily traditions can be lost without proper transmission.

While Opposition MP Jone Usamate supported the bill's intent to strengthen Pacific studies and indigenous knowledge, he expressed concern about the rapid legislative process, arguing that establishing a university warrants thorough parliamentary scrutiny. The bill outlines that the university will be owned by 20 Pacific churches from 16 countries, with the government providing no direct funding but allowing applications for grants. The legislation now moves to a parliamentary committee for further review before a final vote.

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Establishing a university is a major decision and should go through full parliamentary scrutiny.