Fijian academic Professor Brij Lal has been awarded the Order of Australia.

Professor Lal who currently teaches at Australian National University (ANU) was given the award in the Queens's Birthday Honour List.

He was recognised for his significant service to education, through the preservation and teaching of Pacific history, as a scholar, author and commentator.

Professor Lal who has been banned from returning to Fiji indefinitely applied for re-entry in late March after his case was highlighted by the Opposition in a Parliament sitting.

And while Fijian authorities are yet to comment on the status of his application, Professor Lal is confident he will get a chance to return to his country of birth someday.

By Reginald Chandar