Fiji National University (FNU) received a $10,000 donation from the Chinese Ambassador to Fiji, His Excellency Zhou Jian during a handover ceremony held at the FNU Nasinu campus today.
The donation will support the FNU Foundation, a transformative initiative launched on Wednesday, 2 April 2025, at FNU’s Namaka Campus in Nadi. The Foundation aims to expand educational opportunities, advance research, and provide vital support to underprivileged students.
In her opening remarks, FNU Vice-Chancellor, Professor Unaisi Nabobo-Baba said this gift, directed to the FNU Foundation, is more than just a donation.
(from left) Fiji National university (FNU) Vice-Chancellor, Professor Unaisi Nabobo-Baba after receiving the $10,000 handover from the Chinese Ambassador to Fiji, His Excellency Zhou Jian at the FNU Nasinu campus today, Thursday, 15 May 2025.
“It is a symbol of enduring friendship, international solidarity, and a shared commitment to empowering lives through education and opportunity. The Foundation is designed to bring together businesses, alumni, and local and international partners in a shared mission: to remove barriers to education and create pathways to success for all students,” Professor Nabobo-Baba said.
Professor Nabobo-Baba also stated that FNU’s philanthropic priorities are clear and deeply rooted in community needs.
Funds raised through the Foundation are focused on core initiatives:
“These initiatives are not only about meeting needs, but they are also about restoring dignity, building resilience, and creating an environment where every student can thrive,” she said.
In supporting the Foundation, she reflected that the donation also resonates with the principle of Common Prosperity, championed by the President of the People’s Republic of
China, Xi Jinping—’a vision that promotes people-centered development, economic equity, and shared growth across all sectors of society’.
“The Foundation’s work aligns with this vision, and every contribution we receive is an investment in a brighter, fairer future. I would like to once again express our deepest appreciation to His Excellency Zhou Jian and the Chinese Government for your belief in our vision and your commitment to helping our students achieve their full potential.”
Chinese Ambassador to Fiji, His Excellency Zhou Jian in his keynote address while stating that the donation will help Fijian students pursue their dreams reiterated the Chinese saying, “Education is the foundation of a century-long cause of progress.”
Fiji National University (FNU) Chancellor, Mr Semesa Karavaki presents a token of appreciation to the Chinese Ambassador to Fiji, His Excellency Zhou Jian after the $10,000 handover today at the FNU Nasinu campus today, Thursday, 15 May 2025.
“As a former high school teacher, I deeply understand that education forms the bedrock of a nation’s development and prosperity. I can certainly feel that Fijian students have strong desire and enthusiasm for learning, and they are backbones for Fiji’s development and revitalisation. I hope this donation will help students to work hard, improve their own value and actively participate in their motherland’s development,” His Excellency Jian said.
He also highlighted that this year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
“I sincerely hope that this donation will deepen our sound cooperative relationship with Fiji National University and sustain the profound friendship in China-Fiji educational collaboration. This donation will pass on the torch of China-Fiji friendship through generations. I hope that through this donation, FNU students will become witnesses and inheritors of China-Fiji friendship, build bridges of communication and cooperation between our two countries, to ensure that the noble cause of our friendship is carried forward and further developed through successive generations,” he added.
The FNU Foundation is also a platform for supporting research and innovation that will benefit not only Fiji but also the global community with the firmly believe that no student should be held back by financial constraints.
For more information visit the FNU website at http://www.fnu.ac.fj
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