19 May 2026, Apia - The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and Monash University are embarking on a collaborative PhD programme, marking a milestone in their cooperation for the protection of the Pacific environment.
This follows a visit to SPREP by a Monash University delegation and the signing of a Letter of Intent at SPREP headquarters on Monday, 18 May 2026. SPREP Director General, Mr Sefanaia Nawadra and Monash University Professor, JaneMaree Maher co-signed the Letter of Intent confirming both organisations’ intent to work on and further develop the collaborative PhD programme.
Director General Nawadra expressed his appreciation to Monash University for their commitment to environmental sustainability in the Pacific. "The collaborative PhD programme will help with building SPREP’s technical and advisory capacity and support ongoing regional efforts to assist our Member countries with the protection and sustainable development of the region’s environment," he said.
Following the signing, a workshop was held for SPREP staff to present, unpack, and discuss the details of the collaborative PhD program. "We are excited to work together on this initiative through our partnership with SPREP,” said Prof. Maher.
The joint programme aims to simultaneously address regional research needs and enhance the research skills of SPREP staff and members, thereby further building on the organisation's capacity to address pressing environment issues of the region." 
SPREP and Monash University signed their Memorandum of Understanding in September 2024.
The MoU facilitates collaboration between both parties in developing and strengthening systems, institutions, organisations and individuals concerned with the protection of the Pacific environment and promotes collaborative efforts in awareness raising, capacity building activities and implementation of global, regional and international priorities in relation to the environment. Monash University is a leading research university, and their applied research covers key areas that are a priority for SPREP members.
SPREP will leverage the strengths of Monash University in applied research to complement and assist evidence-based decision making for environmental management in the Pacific islands’ region.
For more information, please contact Mr. Vainuupo Jungblut, Environmental Monitoring and Reporting Adviser on email: vainuupoj@sprep.org