PCAS staff and students with the Chief Guest, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation, Honourable Viliame Gavoka (seated center) alongside the FNU Chancellor and Chair of Council, Dr Alisi Talatoka Vudiniabola (left) and FNU’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Unaisi Nabobo-Baba.
The Fiji National University (FNU) has officially launched its third Centre under the University’s umbrella — the Pacific Centre for Aviation Studies (PCAS).
With the establishment of PCAS, FNU now comprises five Colleges and three Centres.
Formerly known as the Department of Aviation Studies under FNU’s College of Engineering, Technical Vocational Education and Training (CETVET), PCAS now falls under TVET Pasifika (Technical and Vocational Education and Training for the Pacific). The Centre’s development, however, dates to the inception of the Fiji Institute of Technology (FIT).
Officiating at the milestone event, held last Friday at FNU’s Bonunaqwele Campus, was Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation, Honourable Viliame Gavoka, who highlighted the significance of the aviation sector to both Fiji and the wider Pacific region.
“As Pacific nations continue to strengthen their aviation capabilities, the demand for highly skilled and internationally competent aviation professionals continues to grow,” he said.
Since the inception of FIT, a total of 580 students have successfully graduated from aviation programmes, including the Certificate in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (Mechanical) Level 4 and the Certificate in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (Avionics) Level 4.
Stakeholders of the aviation industry at the launch of the Pacific Centre for Aviation Studies at FNU’s Bonunaqwele Nadi Campus last Friday.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Unaisi Nabobo-Baba reaffirmed FNU’s vision “to be the leading dual-sector transformative university predicated on inclusiveness, innovation, and accessibility for Fiji and the Pacific”.
“We remain firmly committed to this vision, as we take pride in delivering on our mission by extending our programmes beyond Fiji and ensuring they are accessible to students across our neighbouring Pacific Island countries,” she said.
Professor Nabobo-Baba also acknowledged Acting Director of PCAS, Stephen Hopkins, and wished him and his team success as FNU embarks on another exciting chapter.
Future Plans and Programmes
PCAS is set to introduce specialised short courses aimed at strengthening aviation training and professional development across Fiji and the Pacific. These include Human Factors, Safety Management Systems, Aviation Legislation, Aviation Lead Auditor, and Quality Assurance.
The Centre will also roll out new programmes such as the Diploma in Flight Simulation and Performance Engineering, Certificate Levels 3–5 in Aviation Business Management, and the Diploma in Aviation Business Management.
PCAS students and staff at the Centre’s hangar following the launch.
Through regional scholarships, international aviation standards, industry partnerships, and advanced training technologies, PCAS aims to position itself as a leading aviation training institution in the Pacific.
