The first group of students enrolled in the University of the South Pacific
(USP) Postgraduate Certificate in Border Security have successfully completed their course
graduating in September 2020.
The online Postgraduate Certificate and Diploma in Border Security, which is a joint
collaboration between the Pacific Immigration Development Community (PIDC) and USP,
commenced in January 2020 with over 60 students from across the region enrolled.
This pioneering group of graduating students, many of whom are Immigration and Customs
officers, have paved the way for border security and law enforcement officers across the
Pacific who are now able to study online for a relatively affordable and recognised
postgraduate certificate and diploma in Border Security with the University of the South
Pacific. The programme, which looks to strengthen Pacific Island critical thinking about
border security, was developed by PIDC and USP to:
a) develop PIDC Pacific officers’ ability to function within a regional border security and
management context;
b) build a body of knowledge to enhance critical thinking and analysis regarding
common migration issues facing the region; and
c) promote knowledge transfer to facilitate border security practices informed by
understanding of local, regional and international theories, philosophies and
principles.
Ms Rasieli Rabukuwaqa from Fiji Immigration stated “the PIDC USP Border Course has
strengthened my knowledge of immigration and border enforcement significantly. The
course has allowed me to access a lot of new academic, policy and operational information
from across the Pacific Islands and this helps me directly in my border enforcement role.
Overall, I commend the topics covered in each unit, which are highly relevant to our daily
work; it gives us great confidence in its application. The online course afforded me the

opportunity to pursue my study through a program that was flexible and convenient for my
schedule. It gives me great pleasure to say with pride that I have completed my Post
Graduate Certificate as one of the pioneers of this program.”
Mr Paul Ah Kuoi of Samoa Immigration also stated “I found the USP Course Materials very
useful with a lot of relevant and current information. The academic information supports
my operational and procedural knowledge of Samoa Immigration laws and I am very happy
to be enrolled as a pioneer in this course.”
Mr Ioane Alama, Head of Secretariat for PIDC on speaking about the course stated “the USP
online academic programme is a real game changer for immigration agencies and the
broader law enforcement community in the Pacific Islands. In fact anyone that works with
migration issues in the Pacific will find this information extremely useful. PIDC is happy to
have supported this activity given it provides an information product and service that was
not readily accessible to most border officers and public officials in the region. The fact that
USP had to turn some students away due to the high class number shows that there is
significant interest in the region. We are especially happy because the programme modules
view the academic teachings and principles through a Pacific Islands lens and it was a great
milestone when we had a recent online lecture attended by a significant number of Pacific
Island students to analyse the Boe Declaration on Regional Security and its impacts on their
agencies and communities.”
Notes to Editors
The PIDC is a forum for official Immigration Agencies of the Pacific region. The organisation
was established in 1996 with the initial support of the Pacific Islands Forum and is currently
Chaired by Ms Kairangi Samuela of Cook Islands Immigration. The PIDC plays an important
role in coordinating joint immigration responses to shared law enforcement and border
security issues faced by Member administrations.
The PIDC Secretariat is based in Apia, and the current Head of Secretariat is Mr Ioane
Alama.
For additional information contact Ioane Alama, Head of Secretariat at
Ioane.Alama@pidcsec.org
General information about the PIDC can be found at www.pidcsec.org