Publication Excellence Award 2018: Unit-Specific Category  

• Prize for a paper in Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews (Impact Factor 7.029; SNIP = 3.109, FoR = 09, 14). By Division of Research and Innovation.
• Received an award $500 for research-related activities. 

Japan Society for Promotion of Science International Invitational Fellowship 2017:

• (Internationally-Competitive) Funded by Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) for research project development with Kyushu University & The University of Tokyo (Japan). 
• Field: 'Exploring decision-support systems to address uncertainties in electrical energy demand and renewable energy integration via data analytics and predictive models in Australian and Japanese competitive energy markets”
• Collaborators: Professor Murata Junichi (Kyushu University) and Professor Masahiro Watanabe  (The University of Tokyo, JAPAN)

 Publication Excellence Award 2017: University-Category 

• Prize for a paper in Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews (Impact Factor 7.029; SNIP = 3.109, FoR = 09, 14). By Division of Research and Innovation.
• Received an award of $1,000 for research-related activities. 

Publication Excellence Award 2017: School-Category  

• Prize for a paper in Applied Energy (Impact Factor 6.001; SNIP = 2.439, FoR = 09, 14). By Division of Research and Innovation.
• Recieved an award $250 for research-related activities. 

Short- Academic Development and Outside Studies Program (ADOSP) 2017:

• Travel Support ($2,000). By Academic Division and ReDTrain Initiative.

Research Giant Program 2017:

• Grant of $6,400 to invite Distinguished Professor Vijay P Singh (Texas A & M University, USA) to USQ for collaboration. By USQ Division of Research and Innovation. 

CAS Presidential International Fellowship Initiative 2016:

• (Highly, Internationally-Competitive) Funded by Chinese Academic of Sciences (CAS) for research project development with Cold and Arid Regions Environmental and Engineering Research Institute CAREERI (China)
• Field: “High-performance predictive modelling using wrappers (hybrid Extreme Learning Machine - Coral Reef Optimisation), Filters (Wavelet-based Multi- resolution tools) and uncertainty assessment tools for downscaling of aridity, drought and heatwave indicators: A framework of applications in China and Australia”
• Collaborators: Professor Feng Qi and Associate Professor Xiaohu Wen (CAREERI) and Professor Sancho Salcedo-Sanz (Universidad de Alcalá, SPAIN)
• October 2016 - January 2017 (Visiting Associate Professor)

Academic Development and Outside Studies Program (ADOSP) 2016:

• (Highly Competitive-Internal) Funded by University of Southern Queensland for research project development with Universidad de Alcalá, SPAIN.
  
• Field: “Hybrid Evolutionary Framework for Feature Selection in Natural System's Prediction Problems: A Blueprint for Drought, Flood, Heatwave and Energy Forecasting using Coral Reef Optimization and Extreme Learning Machine”
• Collaborators: Professor Sancho Salcedo-Sanz (GHEODE research group, Department of Signal Processing Communications, Universidad de Alcalá, SPAIN)
• July 2016 - Janaury 2017, (Visiting Associate Professor)

Publications Excellence Award 2016: University-Category

• Prize for a paper in Applied Energy (SNIP = 3.146, FoR = 09, 14).
• Received $500 to be used for research-related activities

Australian Govt. Endeavour Postdoctoral Fellowship Program 2016:

• Funded by Australian Govt for University of Southern Queensland (host) and Anand Agricultural University (India) (postdoc fellow's home institution).
  
• Field: “Environmental Modeling with Advanced Machine Learning Algorithms: Predictive Model Development for Drought, Heatwaves, Floods and Water Resource Management”
• Collaborators: Dr Mukesh Tiwari, Postdoctoral Fellow (Anand Agricultural University, India) and Dr Ravinesh Deo (Supervisor)
  
• July 2016 - Janaury 2017, (Visiting Postdoctoral Fellow Dr M K Tiwari)

Endeavor Executive Fellowship Professional Development Program 2015:

• (Highly Competitive-external) Funded by Australian Government for research project development with Integrated Water Resource Management Program, Department of Bioresource Engineering, McGill University (Canada)
• Field: “Advancing Knowledge and Professional Development in Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting Using Artificial Intelligence”
• Collaborators: Associate Professor Jan Adamowski (McGill University Canada) + PhD Students (Soukayna Mouatadid and John Quilty); Assistant Professor Mukesh Tiiwari (Anand Agricultural University, India)
• November 2015 - Janaury 2016. (Visiting Senior Fellow)

Research Activation Incentive Scheme (RAIS) 2015:

• (Highly Competitive-internal) Funded by USQ Academic Division for research projects
  
• Field: “High-precision models for hydro-meteorological prediction and dynamical downscaling of Global Climate Model datasets”
• Collaborators: Professor Feng Qi (Cold and Arid Regions Engineering and Environmental Research Institute, Chineese Academic of Sciences, China + PhD Student Xiaohu Wen); Associate Professor Pijush Samui (Centre for Disaster Mitigation and Management, VIT University, India); Professor Kisi Ozgur (Canik Basari University, Turkey); Professor Mehmet Sahin (Siirt University Turkey); Associate Professor Sancho Salcedo-Sanz (Universidad de Alcalá, Spain)

 Certificate Award for Conference Chair 2014:

• International Conference in Fluid Mechanics, Heat Transfer & Thermodynamics (ICFMHTT 2013), Phuket, Thailand

Head of Department Research Award (2011):

• Excellence in Research, Department of Mathematics & Computing, University of Southern Queensland
  

Introduction to University Teaching and Learning for New Academics (2011):

• Professional development program in teaching and learning

International Postgraduate Research Scholarships, IPRS (2001):

• (Highly Competitive) Funded by Australian Government for PhD Studies at University of Adelaide, Australia
• Completed PhD (Fluid Engineering) supervised by Professor Graham Nathan and Professor J Mi

Adelaide Achievers Scholarships, AAS (2001):

• (Highly Competitive) Funded by Adelaide University for PhD Studies at University of Adelaide, Australia
• Completed PhD (Fluid Engineering) supervised by Professor Graham Nathan and Professor J Mi

Adelaide Achievers Scholarships, AAS (2001):

• (Highly Competitive) Funded by Fuel and Combustion Technology Top Up Scheme for PhD Studies at University of Adelaide
• Completed PhD (Fluid Engineering) supervised by Professor Graham Nathan and Professor J Mi

New Zealand Official Development Scholarship, NZODA (1999):

• (Highly Competitive) Funded by New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Master of Science at University of Canterbury

Graduate Assistant Funding, (1999):

• (Highly Competitive) Funded by University of the South Pacific for Masters Study

East West Centre (Hawaii) PacificIsland Scholarship (1999):

• (Highly Competitive) Funded by US Department of State for Masters Study

University Gold Medal and Motibhai Cash Prize 250$ (1998):

• Outstanding student graduating with a major in Physics

Fiji Public Service Commission Scholarship (1996):

• Competitive Funding for Bachelor of Science study at University of the South Pacific

Dux of Fiji Seventh Form Examination (1995):

• Created new record of 360 out of 400 marks (90%) average for the first time in Fiji Seventh Form Examination
• Set new records in Physics (97%) and Chemistry (96%).
• Interviewed by Fiji TV LTD (January 1996)