President’s Report 2020

Happy New Year to CSSP members in 2021!

It is the beginning of a new year and an important start for the Chemical Society of the South Pacific. With the COVID-19 pandemic continuing to create havoc around the world, we’ve had to adapt and modify our lifestyles, working habits and plans for 2020-2021. That being said, I am pleased to say that despite the numerous uncertainties of 2020, the society has managed to keep afloat and hopefully resume its functions in 2021.

CSSP has had to improvise in many areas to adapt to the new normal brought in by the pandemic, and I believe we have done well, given a challenging year. While our major activities were put on hold due to the COVID-19 situation, there were some positives in 2020, which our members and the society can reflect and build on in the near future. Dr. Krishna Kotra, a dedicated CSSP member and a passionate Chemist was awarded for participating in the ‘Commonwealth Chemistry Posters – Partnership for the Goals’ virtual poster event. Other CSSP members who participated in this virtual event included, Dr. Vincent Lal, Dr. Francis Mani and Dr. David Rohindra. The society acknowledges their participation and wishes them the best for the future. CSSP highly believes in promoting new ideas by our researchers in Fiji and the region. In doing so, the society also started off with the inaugural ‘CSSP Seminar Series’. Mr. Shavneet Mani, was our first virtual speaker, as we now look forward to giving more of our Pacific Islanders a chance to take their research and ideas to the world.

The society believes in providing equal education opportunities for every child. CSSP ran a national stationery drive twice in 2020 to assist children in need of basic stationeries. I am proud to inform that with the coordinated efforts of its members and support from the general public, the society assisted approximately 95 children around Fiji. We are looking forward to branching out further and deeper into our communities with such efforts and look to promote educational opportunities for everyone.

We have been working with our regional members and work is already underway to expand our functions into the region. We hope to continue with our vision for providing opportunities in the region, as we have been doing in Fiji for the past so many years.

With these words, on behalf of the society, I wish you all a very happy new year, 2021 and look forward to your continued support.

Kunal Singh

President – Chemical Society of the South Pacific