A Pacific health advocate, Sir Collin Tukuitonga from Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland has been made a Fellow by the International Science Council (ISC). Sir Collin joins over 100 Fellows from around the world, were appointed yesterday, 19 December. The Fellowship is the highest honour that can be conferred on an individual by the International Science Council (ISC), the university reported.

Sir Collin hails from Alofi, Niue. He is the Associate Professor of Population Health for Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland.

He was recognised for his outstanding contribution to promoting science as a global public good.

“It is indeed a great honour to become a Fellow with the International Science Council but recognition at this level comes because of the people who I work with and especially my family,” said Collin.

Proudly tagata Niue, the public health academic, public policy expert and ardent advocate has become an important Pacific voice.

Two months ago, Sir Collin led a call to establish a Pacific Science Academy on behalf of the ISC, during a forum in Sāmoa, with the African Academy of Sciences, Australian Academy of Science, the Royal Society Te Aparangi (New Zealand), and U.S. National Academies.

It concluded favourably with the development of an Establishment Committee to set up the academy, to be headed by Sir Collin along with Professor Teatulohi Matainaho, Vice Chancellor of the Adventists University in Papua New Guinea.
 
Sir Collin has been a long-standing health champion for Pacific people in Aotearoa New Zealand, across the region and internationally.

He supported the previous government on its Covid-19 response for the Pacific communities resulting in that cohort’s highest number of vaccination uptake, as well as addressing health inequities for Māori and Pasifika people.

As a new Fellow, he will support the Council in its mission at a critical moment for science and sustainability for science, with the UN’s International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development in 2024.

ISC Fellows

The Council’s new Fellows include eminent social and natural scientists, engineers and thought leaders who have made impactful contributions to science and society. 

Hailing from different countries and regions, disciplines, sectors and career stages, they were nominated by ISC Members and existing Fellows, and by partners such as the InterAcademy Partnership.

Both ordinary and honorary Fellows provide a critical, diverse mass of special individuals who can supplement the insight, expertise and perspectives of ISC Member organisations.

“The ISC Fellowship recognises individuals who are ambassadors and advocates working tirelessly for science internationally and for the vital importance of evidence-informed policymaking. ISC Fellows hail from wide-ranging geographies, sectors, disciplines and career stages, and we look forward to working with them all in multiple capacities in the coming months and year,” said Professor Terrence Forrester, Chair of the Fellowship Council.