Vice-Chancellor Professor Toby Wilkinson with panellists and staff of Fiji National University.

Fiji National University (FNU) Vice-Chancellor Professor Toby Wilkinson strongly hopes that the world post-COVID will be more compassionate, in which personal relationships and a common humanity are valued alongside economic benefit and financial gain.

Prof Wilkinson made these comments while speaking at the International Women’s Day celebration at FNU Nasinu Campus today. The theme for the event was ‘Women in Leadership: Achieving an Equal Future in a COVID-19 world.’

The senior academic said if that world is to come into being, we need women leaders now more than ever.

“We need to show that a more humane and inclusive model of leadership is not only possible but essential. That a time of great change demands a diversity of voices and experiences. That the old, command-and-control model of big-men dictating to the rest of the society has run its course,” said Prof Wilkinson.

“Women and men alike, on this International Women’s Day, let us commit ourselves to that better, kinder future.”

Professor Wilkinson said he was proud to be the Vice-Chancellor of a university where both the Chair and the Deputy Chair of the Council are successful and professional women in their own right.

“In my opinion, the fact that the FNU Council is highly effective and the fact that its Chair and Deputy Chair are both women is no coincidence.”

The VC believes the fight for women’s empowerment requires men to stand up and be counted. Prof Wilkinson said “if having oppressed and suppressed women for countless generations, men expect women to fight alone for equality and justice, that is a double insult. In this spirit of humility and recognising that for women to achieve their goals, men need to change.”

A panel discussion was also organised as part of the celebrations, where Acting Chancellor Tessa Price, Acting Deputy Chair Dr Nur Bano Ali, FNU Registrar Sarita Devi and Dean College of Humanities and Education (CHE) Professor Unaisi Nabobo-Baba shared their challenges and life-experiences with staff and students.

Acting Chancellor Tessa Price

Price believes with more awareness and training on women empowerment, she feels confident talking about the issues women face in society. “I speak up a lot more now. I think if it was a young me, I would’ve been at the back of the room but nowadays with all the training and education, I feel more confident personally talking about issues we face and calling out bad behaviour.”

She advised the audience “you have to take risks and be the expert in what you do.”

FNU Registrar Sarita Devi

Reminiscing her schools days and the financial struggles she had to experience, Devi said “school was one of the best things that happened to us girls. The way it nurtured our minds, our interest to make a difference was boosted. Financial struggle is still one of the major challenges. I always worry about which girl has to forgo further study of any sort because they don’t have the money.”

Acting Deputy Chair Dr Nur Bano Ali

Reflecting on her journey when Dr Ali contemplated on starting her own business, she said “when you cry you get tougher, that’s our weapon. A woman’s weapon is the ability to cry.”

Speaking about educating the young girls to stand up for themselves, Dr Ali mentioned “amplifying the voices, where the more we talk about the issues our young girls face, the more education we are passing down – will enable the girls to stand up and speak for themselves. As soon as they start speaking for themselves then the others will shut up and if you don’t then they bully you.”

Dean College of Humanities and Education (CHE) Professor Unaisi Nabobo-Baba

Professor Nabobo-Baba had to let go of a scholarship opportunity overseas but received a Gold medal for the studies in the same area from a local university. While speaking about this experience she mentioned “there will always be second chances. Don’t give up and change things.”

Professor Nabobo-Baba also advised both men and women in the audience to “demand Respect and be ready to give as well.”