Mohammed Taslim.

Fiji National University (FNU) staff member, Mohammed Taslim aspires to develop the welfare of Fijian seafarers and is working towards becoming part of the Fiji Maritime Academy (FMA) academic team.

The FMA Executive Officer and part-time lecturer of the Maritime Law unit said it was a goal of his to transition from being a support staff to being directly involved in teaching students.

“Being the EO at FMA, which is the only maritime training institute in Fiji, and at the same time getting involved in teaching cadets and senior officers is a demanding profession to be involved in,” the 33-year-old said.

“I would like to join the Academic team on a full-time basis and complete my PhD in Maritime Law so that I can contribute to developing the welfare of Fijian Seafarers. My goal in life is to be a respected person who people see as a role model.”

As a lecturer for the TVET unit, Taslim says there should be more focus on TVET compared to Higher Education regionally and internationally.

“Looking at the maritime industry, seafarers earn a lot, and that money is brought to our country when they sail on foreign ships, contributing significantly towards our economy,” he explained.

Originally from Tuvurara Estate, Savusavu, Taslim has two children and is married to Misbah Tahenat Tasneem, who is a teacher by profession.

He spent most of his childhood and teenage years at Tabia in Labasa “My father was a priest at the Tabia Mosque for 33 years, and I came to Suva after completing my secondary school at Labasa College to further my education,” he explained. “I come from an average family and I’m proud to have my parents staying with me – it’s a huge blessing. I also have an older sister and a younger brother.”

Taslim attained his Master in Maritime Affairs (Education and Training) from World Maritime University (WMU), Malmo in Sweden, and a Post Graduate Diploma in Climate Change and a Bachelor of Science in Marine Science from the University of the South Pacific. He recently revalidated his Boat Master License (BML) Certificate of Competency.

“Maritime is a specialised area like Medicine and Aviation. I did my Masters in Maritime Affairs so that I can better understand the operations and legal aspects of the Maritime Industry. I am involved in many things related to maritime and every day there is something new to learn that I could then impart to my students,” Taslim said passionately.

“There is nothing that I consider difficult – Alhumdulillah, I am happy with whatever God has blessed me with.”

National TVET Forum

The Fiji National University will be hosting the National TVET Forum this Friday, 14 April 2023 to provide the platform for a national conversation on the skills gap issue in Fiji and TVET strengthening in general.

FNU’s TVET Pasifika – which brings together a full range of TVET programmes offered by FNU – will work with the Fiji Government, industry partners, and relevant stakeholders at the Forum to highlight issues and resolutions in the TVET sector.

The one-day interactive and intensive session at the Nasinu Campus is the beginning of other events and strategic directions reset by FNU in this very important sector.

For more information on the TVET Pasifika National TVET Forum, please contact Sikeli Waqatairewa on Phone 3311009 (Ext 4516) email sikeli.waqatairewa@fnu.ac.fj, Priya Chandrani on Phone 3311004 (Ext 4021) email priya.chandrani@fnu.ac.fj or Archana Sami on Phone 3311009 (Ext 4850) email archana.sami@fnu.ac.fj