From left: FNU’s Marketing Specialist attached with the Division of Marketing and Communication, Eroni Navunisaravi, Marketing Specialist, Fozia Bibi, Aspen Medical General Manager, Dr Rigamoto Taito and FNU’s Acting Senior Alumni Specialist, Margaret Gabriel.

Health Care Fiji trading as Aspen Medical has partnered with the Fiji National University (FNU) as the inaugural sponsor towards the launch of the FNU Foundation.

The healthcare organisation contributed a significant amount towards the start of the FNU Foundation.

The FNU Foundation is the brand-new charitable heart of the esteemed university where it stands to support disadvantaged students ensuring that their dreams are achieved. 

The four initiatives under the FNU Foundation include – Scholarships and Student Support, Coffee Forward Initiative, Veilomani Closet and the Veilomani Food Pantry.

Aspen Medical General Manager, Dr Rigamoto Taito shared that the noble cause displayed values that would surely transform the lives of FNU students and communities in Fiji.

“I can see this flourishing because it is a seed that’s planted and it will grow into a beautiful tree,” said Dr Rigamoto.

“It is great because I don’t think the students will ever forget this, as education is powerful and is not cheap these days. Education gives them economic independence, but it opens a whole world in front of them.

“We know there are many students out there who have aspirations of pursuing a certain career in life but sometimes things are not available at the time to support them.”

Aspen Medical General Manager, Dr Rigamoto Taito with FNU’s Acting Senior Alumni Specialist, Margaret Gabriel.

FNU’s Marketing Specialist attached with the Division of Marketing and Communication, Eroni Navunisaravi said the support rendered by Aspen Medical was highly appreciated as it showed their passion to support students who needed the most.

“This initiative is championed by our very own Vice-Chancellor, Professor Unaisi Nabobo-Baba,” said Navunisaravi.

“The FNU Foundation is the first of its kind in the Pacific where the university supports its own underserved students. These students are mainly left out in the scholarships scheme from the Tertiary Scholarships and Loans Service (TSLS).

“As a university, we have our own support to serve these students because there is a fire burning inside of them knowing that they want to achieve their dreams and turn it into reality.”

The official launch of the FNU Foundation will take place today at the Namaka Campus.