The Fiji National University’s College of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (CAFF) has created history in graduating 20 employees of the Fiji Pine Limited and three employees of Fiji Hardwood Corporation Limited in its first ever short course.

The short course – Analyse Forest Data with Statistics, was undertaken by the College’s Academic staff under the Department of Forestry, Joshua Young and Paula Togaciri.

CAFF Dean, Dr Kaliova Ravuiwasa shared the day marked a very important and historic collaboration between CAFF and the Fiji Pine Limited and Fiji Hardwood Corporation Limited.

Dr Ravuiwasa said the certificates received by the employees was not just an ordinary certificate, but a Certificate of Attainment given by FNU which would pave a positive pathway for them giving a turning point to a fulltime programme.

“I am proud to share with you that this is history for the forest sector in Fiji,” he said.

“This is the first stakeholder within the realm of forestry that has come forward to bring 23 of its staff to undergo our short course.

“You are the pioneer of forestry short courses for CAFF and your name goes down into history for being the first 23 that has undergone this course and have graduated.”

He said there were many more short courses that CAFF would be rolling out and looked forward to more collaborations with the Fiji Pine Limited.

“At FNU, we are committed to working with our people. We are now focusing on the communities, we are focusing on the industries, because we value our people, the knowledge, the resources, the manpower, and you represent the industries,” Dr Ravuiwasa said.

“We sincerely hope that you will think of your country, your people, the industry and give back to Fiji what Fiji really deserves.”

He acknowledged the Fiji Pine Limited Executive Chairman, Ratu Rakuita Vakalalabure for being the first leader in the forestry sector to say yes in partnering with CAFF.

Mr Vakalalabure highlighted in his address that he fully supported the short course provided for his employees.

“For me, it is pleasing to note that it is bringing to fruition some of the discussions we had earlier with FNU, that we will work together in upskilling our workforce; and definitely I am sure that some of you will perhaps use your skill in our country or abroad, it will be a worthwhile investment for the Fiji Pine group to upskill our own people and to establish ourselves in the forestry sector in Fiji and in the region,” he said.

FNU Alumni and now Research Officer with Fiji Pine Limited, Raymond Ravatu added that the employees were grateful for the opportunity.

“We are grateful to FNU for providing this short course on data analysis. With this training, we will be able to use this in our line of work that we conduct in the forests,” Ravatu added.