Fiji opens Pacific digital skills hub to bolster regional expertise

Fiji has launched a new digital skills hub at the University of the South Pacific (USP) to train workers in artificial intelligence, networking, and cybersecurity. The facility is a collaborative effort between Cisco, USP, and Telecom Fiji, designed to position Fiji as a digital hub for the Pacific region.

The hub will connect to learning sites in Samoa and Vanuatu, providing students and the community with hands-on experience in network infrastructure, automated threat detection, and collaboration technology. This initiative aims to bridge the gap between expanding digital connectivity and the specialized skills required to manage and protect it.

Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica noted that while over 85 per cent of Fijians use the internet, digital literacy stands at 48 per cent. The hub is part of a broader national strategy to address rising cybersecurity risks in the Pacific, such as ransomware, phishing, and AI-generated deepfakes. The government also aims to extend 5G coverage to half the population by 2030.