SHEFA Health officers graduate with USP-recognised Leadership Certificate

Jun 9, 2025 | News | 0

Eighteen public service participants from SHEFA Health graduated yesterday with a Certificate of Professional Development in Public Service Workplace Leadership, a qualification formally recognised by the University of the South Pacific (USP).

The graduation took place at the Warwick Le Lagon Resort, Vanuatu, in the presence of the Minister of Health, John Still Tari Qetu; the Chairman of the Public Service Commission (PSC), Martin Mahe; a representative of the Australian Government; other government officials; and family members.

Mr. Mahe thanked the Government of Australia and all its partners who have continuously and generously supported the leadership training. Their support has made it possible to strengthen provincial health leadership, which is urgently needed at this time.

“This event marks a groundbreaking achievement—the first leadership training of its kind for SHEFA Health,” he said. “Programmes like this raise the bar, especially when compared with other cohorts, in terms of quality, collaboration, and relevance to real-world challenges.

“I’m pleased that this cohort is diverse, and I want to thank the Minister of Health, the Australian Government, the University of the South Pacific, and the Vanuatu Institute of Public Administration and Management (VIPAM) for their ongoing support. We chose to mix the participants because the business of health is not only the responsibility of the Ministry of Health—it requires collaboration across sectors.”

The Chairman added that he is also happy to announce that the PSC and the Ministry of Education and Training (MoET) are currently working on a council paper to ensure that a dedicated number of scholarships will be reserved for public servants.

“And perhaps, with this opportunity, some of you may return and continue to contribute even more,” he told the graduates.

Minister Qetu also thanked the Australian Government and said the Ministry he leads is proud to have initiated and led the first-ever leadership programme, and they are grateful for the partnership with the PSC and other partners—Balance of Power, Vanuatu Skills Partnership, CARE International, Further Arts, the Department of Women, and the Vanuatu-Australia Partnership.

“I would like to give special recognition to the Trainer-facilitator, Ms Wilmaraia Vocor, who conducted the sessions and provided one-on-one coaching to participants, with assistance from VIPAM,” he said.

“Particular thanks go to the University of the South Pacific for its formal recognition of the programme, which includes the awarding of a Certificate of Professional Development in Public Service Workplace Leadership.

“The high-level support from PSC for this programme cannot be overstated, as it is the Government’s employer responsible for the training and development of public servants across all sectors.”

The Minister further stated that in this SHEFA cohort, they have included Area Administrators from the Department of Local Authorities, who have been working closely with SHEFA Health to enhance the delivery of health services throughout SHEFA, especially on Efate.

According to the Trainer-facilitator, over the course of three months, she guided the participants through coaching sessions where they examined workplace challenges and explored alternative leadership approaches to resolve them. One of the key themes was communication—understanding how effective communication is essential for any leader. It’s not just about listening, but listening to truly understand people.

“As leadership expert John Maxwell famously says, ‘Everything rises and falls with leadership.’ This quote resonated with our approach. Leaders significantly influence their work environments, and often, challenges begin with ourselves,” she told Daily Post.

“So before looking outward, we focused inward—on self-leadership, self-talk, personal reflection, understanding our behaviors, our character, and the influences that shape our decisions in life—whether at home, in church, in the community, or in the workplace,”

She added that it was a comprehensive and intensive course, noting that when we talk about adult learning, it’s very different from how children learn. Adults come with years of experience and established mindsets—sometimes 20 years or more of ingrained habits. That’s why meaningful change through leadership requires deep self-reflection and a strong commitment to growth. Only then can one truly influence leadership in the country.

SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST

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