The University of Melbourne and the National University of Samoa (NUS) have signed a partnership to tackle climate change, health security, and cultural preservation in the Pacific.

The agreement, announced in Apia on Thursday, will see both universities collaborate on climate adaptation, ocean governance, and the curation of Pacific cultural collections.

University of Melbourne Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Michael Wesley said the partnership reflects the universities’ shared role in addressing urgent regional challenges. “Universities are uniquely placed to support solutions to climate, health, and youth opportunities in the Pacific,” he said.

NUS Vice-Chancellor Professor Tuifuisa’a Patila Malua Amosa called the MoU a milestone. “It recognises the value of combining traditional knowledge with modern research and opens doors for staff and students to engage in mutual learning,” she said.

The partnership builds on past collaborations, including the Pacific Ocean and Climate Crisis Assessment (POCCA) launched at COP29, and community-led projects in agriculture and health. It also expands Melbourne’s growing Pacific network, which includes partnerships with Solomon Islands National University and the University of the South Pacific.