CQU deepens Pacific ties through new ag research partnerships

By Priscilla Roberts

CQUniversity has formalised two new Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), further strengthening its commitment to advancing agricultural collaboration and capacity-building across the Indo-Pacific region.

The agreements signed at CQUniversity’s Central Queensland Innovation and Research Precinct (CQIRP) in Rockhampton will see the University partner with the Vanuatu Agricultural Research and Technical Centre (VARTC) and Papua New Guinea’s Livestock Development Corporation (LDC) to deliver joint research, technical training and industry placement programs focused on livestock production and sustainable agriculture.

CQUniversity’s Professor of Livestock and Animal Science, Simon Quigley, said the partnerships demonstrate the University’s growing regional leadership in agricultural research and training.

“These MoUs formalise relationships that have already been growing for several years through collaborative research and shared goals,” Prof Quigley said.

“Agriculture – particularly livestock production – is at the heart of both Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea’s rural economies and communities. By working together, we can strengthen technical skills, support emerging researchers and build resilient agricultural systems that benefit the entire Pacific region.”

CQUniversity has a long-standing relationship with VARTC through multiple Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) funded projects in cattle and peanut research, led by Prof Quigley and Associate Professor Surya Bhattarai. 

The University has also collaborated with the LDC through initiatives such as the 2025 Beef Week workshop in Rockhampton which proposed the development of a Pacific Beef Network to support regional collaboration.

The new MoUs align closely with the Australian Government’s renewed commitment to Pacific partnerships, which emphasises climate resilience, food security and regional economic development through cooperation and capacity building.

“As Australia’s most engaged regional university, CQUniversity is uniquely positioned to work with our Pacific neighbours,” CQUniversity Vice-President Research Professor Grant Stanley said. 

“We share similar environments, agricultural challenges and aspirations for regional development. These agreements not only strengthen our scientific and educational collaborations, but also open new opportunities for Pacific students, researchers and policymakers to work alongside our teams here in Central Queensland.”