IAS holds 2nd Advisory Board Meeting

20 February 2019

The Advisory Committee of the Institute of Applied Sciences held its second meeting on 6 December 2018 at the new IAS Board Room. Comprising high level representatives of the Fiji Government, European Union, IUCN, SPREP and USP, the Committee’s main role is to provide guidance and advice on the strategic direction of the Institute.  

In opening the meeting, the Chair of the Committee Mr Robin Yarrow commended the IAS Director on the completion of the new IAS Admin Office Block which he recalled was built on the site where the Royal Air New Zealand base was previously located.

IAS Advisory Board members after their meeting on 6 December 2018. (l to r): Mr Sowane Puamau (Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Employment, Productivity & Industrial Relations), Mr Andrew Foran (Regional Programme Coordinator, IUCN), Ms Mereoni Degei Gonelevu (Manager, Quality, Marketing & Communication, IAS), Dr Milika Sorbey (Project Inception and Capacity Adviser, SPC), Dr Johann Poinapen (Director, IAS), Mr Robin Yarrow, Chairman), Dr Isoa Korovulavula (Manager, Environment, IAS), Dr Sereana Kubuabola (Senior Quality Assurance Coordinator, USP) and Dr Jan H. Steiffen (Project Director, MACBIO).
IAS Laboratory Services Manager, second from right, Dr Vincent Lal, takes the Board members on a tour of the Lab facilities.

Members of the Committee were briefed of the latest projects developments and new initiatives at IAS such as the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the establishment of the Pacific Water Centre between USP and Griffith University.  The Committee members also provided feedback, guidance and recommended strategies on how IAS can continue to operate sustainably while fulfilling its purpose of offering scientific services to the region.