Pacific Security College launches Pacific Visitorship Program
Asivorosi Tora, from Fiji’s Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs, is the first participant in the Pacific Visitorship Program. Photo: Pacific Security College
A new program at the Pacific Security College will support Pacific security experts to strengthen research partnerships and develop solutions to regional security challenges.
Hosted at the Australian National University (ANU) in Canberra, the Pacific Visitorship Program enables participants to undertake short-term research projects of up to six weeks at the College.
It is designed to bring together Pacific researchers, policymakers, ANU, and the Pacific Security College to share insights, collaborate on key discussions on Pacific security issues, and build lasting partnerships across the region.
The visitorship program launched this month with the arrival of the first participant, Asivorosi Tora, a Senior Administrative Officer at Fiji’s Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs. Mr Tora also has more than two decades of experience in public health and has worked in environmental education.
During his six-week visitorship, Mr Tora will conduct research on professionalising the private security industry in Fiji.
His project will explore best practices across the region to improve accountability, ethics and oversight, and strengthen the capacity of private security providers to support national and regional security objectives.
Mr Tora said he was inspired to take part in the Pacific Visitorship Program because of his deep interest to improve private security capability, its governing processes, and effective ethical standards in Fiji.
“My research on Professionalising the Security Industry in Fiji aims to support the development of a more capable, accountable and trusted security sector that responds effectively to security challenges in Fiji and also the Pacific,” he said.
“By identifying current challenges, my work seeks to propose practical, locally informed strategies for strengthening professional standards.
“A professionalised security industry in Fiji can serve as a model for how Pacific nations can build resilient systems that are responsive to local contexts, while still associated with regional and international standards.”
Mr Tora said he was excited to have the opportunity to learn from others who have undertaken similar programs and interventions.
“The chance to exchange ideas with practitioners and academics will be vital in shaping current standards to a more practical, professional and modern approach.”
Pacific Security College Director Professor Dave Peebles said: “The Pacific Visitorship Program is about elevating Pacific voices in regional security conversations and learning from one another.
“Participants will have the opportunity to engage directly with leading researchers at ANU, as well as with policymakers and other stakeholders based in Canberra. These connections are vital for strengthening regional collaboration and working together to address security challenges in the Pacific.
“We’re delighted to welcome Asivorosi Tora as our first participant and look forward to his insights and contributions.”
Through the Pacific Visitorship Program, the College will host academics as well as experts from the Pacific in the fields of climate, environment, human and national and regional security. The College works closely with stakeholders in the region to identify potential candidates.
