The vice-chancellor of the University of the South Pacific is warning that the region is facing a crisis because of global and regional economic problems.
Savenaca Siwatibau has told 1,400 graduating students at the USP that low economic growth rates, high unemployment, rising public expenditures and weak fiscal positions will affect their ability to find work.
He sounded the warning after employers said many university graduates with non-specialist qualifications would have great difficulty in finding jobs.
Mr Siwatibau also said that modern societies are torn apart by ethnic hatred, intolerance, misunderstanding and what he called unfettered greed.
He said it would require massive re-education before people would choose to reject hatred and greed and embrace justice and honestry.
