Graduates of today’s Rural, Remote and Maritime Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Graduation Ceremony.

The Fiji National University’s (FNU) National Training and Productivity Centre (NTPC) today celebrated the graduation of 707 individuals from Nadi’s rural, remote and maritime communities.

The Rural Remote Maritime Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Graduation ceremony which took place at the FNU’s Bonunaqwele Nadi Campus was officiated by Momo Na Tui Nadi, Ratu Vuniani Dawai in the presence of other respective village heads, as well as the FNU Chancellor, Mr. Semesa Karavaki, Deputy Chancellor, Dr Adi Alisi Vudiniabola, the FNU Vice-Chancellor, Professor Unaisi Nabobo-Baba, the Pro Vice-Chancellor TVET Pasifika and NTPC, Dr Isimeli Tagicakiverata and other VIP guests.

The graduates underwent a two-week training in various programmes like Basic Cookery, Fundamentals of Baking and Pastry, Basic Front Office Administration, Fundamentals of Food and Beverage, Basic Screen Printing, Basic Garment Construction, Basic Sanitary Plumbing, Wooden House Construction, Cabinet Joinery, Basic Electrical Installation, Fibre Glass Boat Repair, Small Engine Repair and Small Business.

Graduates who arrived early to prepare for the commencement of the Rural, Remote and Maritime Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Graduation Ceremony.

The graduates are also from the villages of Narewa, Nakavu, Namotomoto, Navoci, Sikituru, Sabeto, Yavusania, Moala, Saunaka, Nawaka, Korovuto, Yako, Dratabu and Vatutu.

While addressing the audience, Ratu Vuniani Dawai acknowledged the FNU and NTPC for giving the opportunity to study for individuals in the Vanua o Nadi.

“I am deeply honoured that this opportunity has been made available to the Vanua of Nadi. This programme has opened doors to so many especially those in the rural and maritime areas, including our youth, school leavers, unemployed and even our elders,” he said.

“To our graduates, I encourage you to make full use of the skills and knowledge you have gained so that your certificates can open doors of opportunities whether through employment or self-employment. Use what you have learnt to build a better future for yourselves, your families and your community. Believe in your potential and take pride in the journey you have begun today.”

Momo Na Tui Nadi, Ratu Vuniani Dawai.

Professor Unaisi Nabobo-Baba highlighted that the ceremony was the biggest graduation for any rural, remote and maritime community.

FNU Vice-Chancellor, Professor Unaisi Nabobo-Baba.

“At the FNU, we want to congratulate all of you today, we believe that coming to Nadi for the biggest graduation ever in a community, that we’ve done the right thing in the place where people in the world enter, and that is Nadi,” she added.

“At the FNU, at the leadership and council level, when the Government could not give us the $1.8 Million it gives every year to community programmes such as this, we decided, at FNU, almost 3000 staff at FNU – council, senior managers and staff that’s what we decided – that we must reach out to our people regardless of whether we were given the resources to do so. This is the attitude we have brought to you today.”

The programme delivered by the Department of Community-based Non-Formal Education under the NTPC.

“I am of the view that after today each one of you graduate will either choose to continue your education, we are waiting outside for you to do that or we will work with the Council of Chiefs, we will work with your provincial council so that you will get the tools to begin small businesses wherever you are.”

From left: Turaga Ni Yavusa Noneiqoro, Kalaveti Vueti Qori, Reverend Josefa Sewale, Momo Na Tui Nadi, Ratu Vuniani Dawai, FNU Chancellor, Mr. Semesa Karavaki and the FNU Vice-Chancellor, Professor Unaisi Nabobo-Baba.