Three iTaukei Affairs-sponsored students were part of the USP Emalus campus team that won two International Moot Competitions this year.
The three are Ms Tupoutua’h Baravilala of Lomanikoro, Nakasaleka, Kadavu, Ms Robyn-Ann Mani of Lopta Rotuma, and Mr Joeli Ditoka of Navunimono, Verata, Tailevu.
The fourth member, Ms Jacqueline Wi-Kaitaia is from the Cook Islands.
The first moot competition was organised by the USP during the Law & Culture Conference in August this year.
Universities that participated included the University of Auckland, University of Otago and the University of the South Pacific.
The mooters from the USP Emalus Campus came out victors against the Otago Moot team in the final and it was the first time for USP to win the trophy from Otago University.
The Pan Pacific Moot Competition was held from the October 13 to 15 in Port Vila, Vanuatu this year.
Universities that took part in this competition included USP Emalus Campus, University of Waikato (NZ), & Queensland University of Technology (Australia) and the moot problem was based on issues relating to human rights and custom.
The final moot was between the QUT appellant team, Mr Damian Riggal and Ms Liana Marteus against the USP respondent team of Mr Joeli Ditoka and Ms Tupoutua’h Baravilala.
Also mooting for USP were Robyn-Ann Mani and Jacqueline Wi-Kaitaia.
The USP Emalus moot team won the Sibley Hill trophy after winning the finals once again.
Campus director and Head of School of Law, Professor Eric Colvin said the win was a great moment for the Pacific region and a testimony in itself that we produced the best in the world.
The International Moot Competition also plays a prominent role in enhancing relationships across Australian, New Zealand and South Pacific Universities.
Ministry of iTaukei Affairs permanent secretary Mr Savenaca Kaunisela said this achievement was evident of the caliber of students whose studies were sponsored by the iTaukei Ministry.
He said that the iTaukei Scholarship program had seen a dramatic improvement to the successes of it sponsored students this year.
This includes the three gold medals that were awarded to Mr Savenaca Narube at the USP graduation in April this year.
In addition, Mr Marika Naiyaga, a teacher of Waidina Secondary School was able to complete his Masters Degree in Project Management on Distance Flexible Learning mode from the University of Southern Queensland.
Mr Naiyaga was able to do this with only four hours of daily electrical supply and internet access through Vodafone flashnet.