Claims Achievable says Dr Tagicakiverata

Press Release Posted On: July 15, 2024

The Fiji National University (FNU) is the biggest provider of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Fiji and the South Pacific.

FNU's Pro-Vice-Chancellor TVET, Dr Isimeli Tagicakiverata

FNU’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor TVET, Dr Isimeli Tagicakiverata

Responding to Fiji Labour Party’s Press Release on 12 July 2024 titled “FNU Outlandish Claims”, FNU’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor TVET Dr Isimeli Tagicakiverata said that the lack of proper research and understanding of the wide TVET offerings at FNU has resulted in the misinformation by the political party.

“We have hundreds of TVET programmes available from the 5 Colleges and 2 Centres at FNU producing up to 20,000 students each year.” Dr Tagicakiverata said.

“From 2019 to 2023 we have achieved over 69,000 graduates despite the impact of Covid in 2020-21 and we are working towards reaching 100,000 by 2025. We are hopeful that with adequate government investment and support we should reach the 200,000 mark by 2030. It’s simple math. Quality TVET is not cheap – it needs funding.”

While the Fiji Labour Party (FLP) claimed that about 73,000 students are in our secondary schools from Years 9-12, Dr Tagicakiverata urged the political party to educate itself on the various TVET programmes and courses available in Fiji. FNU has institution-based TVET, industry-based TVET, and community-based TVET. The quality and recognition of FNU TVET has seen the university delivering courses in the Marshall Islands and Nauru.

“People must note that school leavers are only one group that we provide training for. Other groups are school dropouts, unemployed youths, single mothers, rural dwellers, apart from the wider in-service sector training for industry.”

Dr Tagicakiverata emphasised that FNU TVET is inclusive as it is for everyone in the community, including the elderly and those living with disabilities.

“The oldest person we have trained in the community was 85 years old – and that is what we call empowerment.”

“FNU TVET has a clear pathway for school dropouts to attain the relevant qualifications and move on to a Diploma or Bachelors degree if they are so determined. We also cater for people who need upskilling and reskilling, or those transitioning between jobs, and the underprivileged – street kids, those in squatter settlements.”

“The national university has been working hard to cater for the thousands of school dropouts and we need support instead of cheap criticism. The numbers are impressive because FNU is the biggest provider of TVET in the South Pacific, and that may be hard for some to accept.”

As the national university, FNU will make every effort to achieve its targets for the benefit of employers in Fiji.

Dr Tagicakiverata rubbished claims by FLP on the credibility of FNU courses and urged the Leader of the Political party to stop politicising education.