Fiji has appointed Prof. Dharmendra Sharma AM as Chair of its National Research Council (NRC), placing the Fiji-born Australian academic at the centre of the country’s push to strengthen research, innovation and evidence-based policy across key national priorities.
The NRC will play a leading role in advancing research and innovation in areas including climate adaptation and resilience, health systems, digital transformation, disaster preparedness, and sustainable development across Fiji and the wider Pacific region.
Prof. Sharma described the appointment as a deeply meaningful milestone, coming 25 years after he left Fiji to build his academic career in Canberra.
“Being able to help drive research in Fiji and the Pacific is very exciting, and I’m thankful for the recognition and the trust,” he said.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to contribute to Fiji’s national development. It’s hard to describe how much it means to be able to help guide the future of where you come from.”
Prof. Sharma has been with the University of Canberra Faculty of Science and Technology since 2001 and is internationally recognised for his work in artificial intelligence, machine learning, data analytics and knowledge discovery. He is also a long-time adjunct with the University of the South Pacific (USP).
University of Canberra Executive Dean of Science and Technology Prof. Fiona Dyer welcomed the appointment, describing it as a significant achievement for both Fiji and the university.
“Dharmendra has contributed to higher education and research capacity-building in the Pacific for many years,” she said.
“This appointment is a tremendous acknowledgement of Dharmendra’s standing as a research leader, and of UC’s growing role in the Pacific.”
She said the NRC would be central to Fiji’s future in research and innovation, and praised Professor Sharma’s leadership experience and technical expertise.
With his strong background in AI and digital systems, there is growing expectation that the NRC will help position Fiji as a regional leader in responsible and culturally grounded technology development, particularly in areas such as climate risk management, health surveillance, smart agriculture, disaster response, and improved public service delivery.
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