Farish Ali

The Fiji National University (FNU) Semester 1, 2023 enrolment is open to all prospective students who wish to join FNU and succeed in their chosen field of study in one of the University’s wide range of courses and programmes.

Students can apply online at www.fnu.ac.fj or by lodging their application at the Nasinu, Derrick, Koronivia, Ba, Natabua, Namaka and Labasa campuses.

One such successful FNU graduate is Farish Ali, who is now reaping the rewards of studying at the University, which equipped him with the best theory and practical knowledge and prepared him for future industry needs.

For Farish Ali, his student journey at FNU was best described as a ‘unique experience’.

He enrolled during the peak of COVID-19 and majority of his classes were online. The former Suva Muslim college student found balancing his student and professional life a challenge that he was able to overcome.

Ali graduated with a Postgraduate Diploma in Entrepreneurship and Management from FNU’s College of Business, Hospitality and Tourism Studies (CBHTS) this year.

Education

Since a young age, Ali was passionate about information technology and turned this passion into a reality at FNU.

“I enjoy helping people in all aspects of life, and there was no better option than combining it with my passion in information technology to be able to help people.”

Upon completing his secondary education at Suva Muslim College, he attained a Bachelor of Commerce in Information System and Public Administration and Management from the University of the South Pacific (USP). He then decided to upskill his qualification at FNU in a postgraduate programme.

“For me, university life was not just about attending classes. It also gave me a chance to make lifelong friends, try new things, gain leadership skills, as well as have fun along the way.”

The Postgraduate Diploma in Entrepreneurship and Management course provides students with knowledge and skills to prepare them for leadership roles in business management, entrepreneurship, and development management.

The programme is career-focused and produces graduates who possess the knowledge and skills they require to further careers in management or to start their own businesses.

Career
Farish Ali is employed at FNU as an Information Technology (IT) technician.

“As an IT technician at FNU, it was challenging, at times, to balance my work life with my studies,” Ali said.

“Due to the many lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic, I was required to work from home. In addition to being employed full-time, I was also attending my classes online via Zoom.”

“There were times my phone would be ringing non-stop during my classes and when this happened, I had to prioritise between calls and my classes.”

“The staff and students will call and need IT support, I would have to spend countless hours attending to these calls, and then trying to catch-up on my studies.”

Ali said proper time management is crucial to student success.

“A student’s success comes from proper time management. I believe that successful people can always meet their goals when they are able to balance their academic and social life,” he said.

Motivation
“Life itself is your teacher and you are in a constant learning.”

This has been Ali’s favorite quote from Hong Kong and American martial artist and entertainer, the late Bruce Lee.

The FNU Alumni is grateful for his family and work colleagues for being pillar of support throughout his journey.

“A special credit goes to my loving wife and my parents,” he shared. “I would also like to thank my workmates, and FNU in general, for their continuous help and support, during difficult times.

“Without their support, I would not have achieved my PG Diploma,” he said.

“Life is not easy, but nothing stops you from being successful. The key difference between impossible and possible lies in a person’s determination. The key to success in life is to focus on one’s goals, not on obstacles.”

Apply Now

Students interested in pursuing a TVET courses at FNU can apply now for one of the 4,600 placements available through the Tertiary Scholarships and Loans Services (TSLS).

Eligible students must obtain a pass in Year 12, Certificate I, Certificate II or secure a final offer letter for any Certificate Level III, IV or Diploma level 5 programmes offered at FNU.

For further information, students can visit our website at www.fnu.ac.fj , email the Academic Team via admission@fnu.ac.fj or Text (Toll-Free) 857 for Vodafone and Inkk users.