The Pacific Islands Development Forum (PIDF) became a key partner to the University of Fiji (UniFiji) Centre of Renewable Energy (CORE). UniFiji and PIDF agree to jointly manage the CORE, with UniFiji focussing on the provision of renewable energy education, capacity building and research, whereas PIDF focuses on application of renewable energy for development.

On behalf of the CORE partners, UniFiji agrees to include PIDF as a key partner to CORE. UniFiji and PIDF agree to jointly manage the CORE, with UniFiji focussing on the provision of renewable energy education, capacity building and research, whereas PIDF focuses on application of renewable energy for development. In so doing, UniFiji will be responsible for: • The day to day operations and management of the CORE and its staff; • Lead all the academic aspects of CORE including the design of courses, academic delivery of courses, certification of students on successful completion of their courses and the hiring of academic staff; and • The financial management, monitoring, evaluation and reporting aspects of CORE. PIDF will be responsible for: • Liaising with PIDF member countries, through the National Sustainable Development Boards, in identifying opportunities for CORE support in these member countries including the provision of students from other Pacific countries outside of Fiji wanting to take up Renewable Energy studies and the identification of projects needed in other member countries; • Develop concepts for activities and projects aimed at increasing the use of renewable energy in the Pacific. • Lead the implementation of CORE project activities in PIDF member countries; • Seek funding opportunities for CORE activities; and • Give the CORE wider Pacific reach and recognition. PIDF and UniFiji will be jointly responsible for the following: • Identifying potential projects and funding for CORE and its project activities; • Jointly implement some of the activities required to achieve CORE objectives; • Engage in advocacy efforts for CORE and its activities; and • Future hire of non-academic CORE personnel and consultants.

The PIDF along with its strategic partner Solar Technology Application Resource –Centre (STAR-C) of International Solar Alliance (ISA) are now working with CORE. The STAR-C is dedicated to building a network of training and technical centers in ISA member countries. A network of centers of excellence in Alliance countries will be created, starting from 10 existing centers including CORE, and aiming at setting up 100 centers of excellence representing all world regions covered by the Alliance. The ISA has launched the program in March 2018. In the first phase of the STAR-C program, training and knowledge resources will be pooled by the program partners to disseminate good practices and develop training programs for all solar energy stakeholders, through 8 training courses for technicians, trainers, project developers and policy makers. The program also aims at securing funding to set up training and certification centers in the Alliance countries. All the documentation will be made available on the International Solar Alliance Infopedia. The second phase will build up on some training centers to give them test and qualification technical resources.

The CORE was established as a partnership project between UniFiji, University of Alicante, Spain (UA) and the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG). The initial establishment was sponsored by the European Commission under the Renewable Energy in The Pacific: Developing Skills and Capacity (EPIC) Project. CORE’s vision is “to serve as a leading centre of excellence, knowledge hub in renewable energy and meeting point for experts by encouraging the cooperation and collaboration in the research, innovation and technologies development of RE between higher education institutions and relevant stakeholders. It also envisions facilitating the university-industry link at national, regional and international levels.” CORE’s mission is “to act as a think-tank for strategic issues pertaining RE from priorities set by PIC Leaders. It will collaborate with national, regional and international organizations and institutions to conduct research/ analysis of emerging issues in renewable energy such as use of solar, biomass, bio-fuels, energy efficiency, technologies for sustainable energy supply in Fiji and PICs.” The PIDF partnership provides the opportunity to solidify and strengthen the “hub and spoke” and “global and regional” model utilising PIDF’s National Sustainable Development Boards, in identifying opportunities for CORE support in PIDF member countries including the provision of students from other Pacific countries outside of Fiji wanting to take up Renewable Energy studies and the identification of projects needed in the member countries which shall give the CORE a wider Pacific reach and recognition . CORE’s objectives are: • To strengthen research capacity and to harness it in the service of planning sustainable development in the area of renewable energy (RE). • To provide market research services in RE with emphasis on liaison and networking with the private sector in Fiji and other PICs. • To identify research needs and enable research and development for integrated and innovative RE solutions in Fiji and PICs. • To enable technology and knowledge transfer by connecting research and industry through project development. • To promote the development of a highly qualified and trained workforce for the renewable energy sector in Fiji and PICs. • To offer gender sensitive national /regional training courses (short courses, workshops), postgraduate programmes or opportunities for research in strategic areas. • To promote community outreach and advocacy in current issues of RE through existing and new networks.

Centre of Renewable Energy ( CORE) of the University of Fiji (UniFiji) , Pacific Islands Development Forum, Solar Technology Application Resource –Centre (STAR-C) of International Solar Alliance (ISA)