University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC) and Mainstreaming of Rural Development Innovation (MORDI) Tonga Trust have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration on research, capacity building and community-led development initiatives across Tonga and the wider Pacific region. 

The partnership brings together UniSC's Pacific research expertise, delivered through the Australian Centre for Pacific Islands Research (ACPIR), with MORDI Tonga Trust's deep community networks, development experience and long-standing commitment to improving livelihoods in rural and outer island communities of Tonga.  The parties have agreed to work together on research initiatives focused on some of the Pacific's key priorities, including climate resilience, food security, sustainable agriculture, community wellbeing, disaster preparedness and economic development.

MORDI Tonga Trust has spent almost two decades working with communities across Tonga to strengthen livelihoods, build resilience and support locally led development. MORDI Tonga Trust’s presence across the Kingdom's islands brings invaluable relationships, practical experience and traditional knowledge that will ensure future research is co-designed to be relevant, inclusive and impactful. 

MORDI Tonga Trust board of trustees chairman Dr Vili 'Apifo'ou Fuavao and UniSC Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) Professor Ross Young signed the new MoU.

Further MoU collaboration will create new opportunities that will build on our productive partnership witforh  joint research projects, student engagement, knowledge exchange activities, co-authored publications and the development of evidence-based solutions informed by research and Pacific knowledge systems. UniSC Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) Professor Ross Young said the MoU represents action and shared goals to help Pacific communities thrive.

“We are conscious in our position as Australia’s youngest public university, that we seek to grow relationships with key partners built on trust,” Prof Young said.  “And how we use the research we’re generating to help solve real problems.” 

MORDI Tonga Trust board of trustees chairman Dr Vili 'Apifo'ou Fuavao said MORDI Tonga Trust and UniSC had a working relationship spanning more than 15 years.

“This is another step in affirming our existing partnership,” Dr Fuavao said. 

MORDI Tonga Trust Chief Executive Officer Soane Patolo Jr said it was good to formalise the partnership and thanked the University for its support.

“While trying to undertake development work in Tonga, we’ve encountered problems that led us to engage with researchers,” said Mr Patolo, noting that the time-honoured collaboration with UniSC since 2014.

The MoU between MORDI Tonga Trust and UniSC was formalised at a signing ceremony at UniSC's Sunshine Coast campus on August 13. The signing ceremony was attended by representatives from UniSC, ACPIR and MORDI Tonga Trust and signed by MORDI Tonga Trust board of trustees chairman Dr Vili 'Apifo'ou Fuavao and UniSC DVC (Research and Innovation) Professor Ross Young.

The MoU between MORDI Tonga Trust and UniSC was formalised at a signing ceremony at UniSC's Sunshine Coast campus on August 13.