Fiji’s Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation and Education, Honourable Viliame Gavoka, speaking at the FNU Namaka Campus in Nadi.

Fiji’s Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation and Education, Honourable Viliame Gavoka has assured his support to growing the aviation industry in Fiji and in particular, with the Fiji National University.

Honourable Gavoka highlighted this during his recent visit to the FNU Namaka Campus to meet with staff of the FNU’s College of Engineering, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (CETVET) Department of Aviation Studies (DAS).

He was welcomed by the FNU’s Chancellor and Chair of Council, Semesa Druavesi Karavaki, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Learning and Teaching, Associate Professor, Dr Jimaima Lako, Pro Vice-Chancellor TVET, Dr Isimeli Tagicakiverata, Pro Vice-Chancellor Research and Innovation, Professor Paul Iji and the Acting Dean of CETVET, Salabogi Mavoa.

He reiterated his passion for civil aviation.

“I think you all know I am very passionate about civil aviation that I want this to be the centre for Civil Aviation regionally,” he said.

“I have expressed that with you quite clearly and it is also something that I expressed to my colleagues in Government.”

Fiji’s Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation and Education, Honourable Viliame Gavoka, FNU Chancellor and Chair of Council, Mr Semesa Karavaki (sitting on right) with FNU academics.

He said it was evident that there was a shortage of aviation people all over the world.

“But we can overcome that by growing the capacity here to produce more aviation people, and the commitment is there and I want to make sure that it becomes a reality in the resourcing of the institution over the next year,” he added.

“We’re exploring more opportunities with the Australian and New Zealand colleagues, and I know there are many other initiatives to grow aviation in Fiji.”

“As your Minister for Education, I will be watchful and I will see that whatever decision that comes up suits FNU, you have the resources, you have the backup to put together things like that.”

Mr Karavaki mentioned that the FNU was doing justice to the request of supporting Fiji’s aviation industry.

“One of the requests you had made to us at FNU was that if we can help to provide the training so that we can push the number because there is a great shortage of civil aviation workers in the world, so we have been working towards that,” added Mr Karavaki.