The United Nations Development Programme and the University of the South Pacific have partnered with the goal to foster innovations and entrepreneurship in the Pacific region and to empower youth to lead these processes.

Rinesh Sharma will be representing Fiji and the Pacific in Vietnam from April 2-5, 2019, where the young entrepreneur will showcase his innovative Smart Farm concept.

The 25-year-old participated in the first ever Youth Co: Lab where he won second prize for his concept.

The prize also entailed an opportunity to showcase the product at a global platform.

“I feel grateful that my years of work and research were recognised and appreciated,” Mr Sharma said.

“Such awards are exciting and at the same time it adds more responsibility and focus towards something bigger. I am proud, but never satisfied.”

The Hub features an inclusive co-working space with the focus on youth, social innovations as well as gender- and disability-related projects.

Mr Sharma said that he encourages youths to have a mindset of being an employer, rather than an employee.

“It’s very easy to follow a path but it’s never impossible to create new paths and probably lead a nation one day,” he said.

Edited by Susana Tuilau

Feedback: swashna.chand@fijisun.com.fj