FNU students have the opportunity of expand their research skills into poultry and its by-products through the partnership with Ram Sami and Sons Fiji Ltd.

Fiji National University (FNU) students studying programmes in animal husbandry and Bachelor of Science in Agriculture at the College of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (CAFF) will have an opportunity to broaden their research skills in poultry and its by-products following the extension of a partnership with Ram Sami and Sons (Fiji) Pte Ltd (RSSFL).

The research scope is one of the objectives under the renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between FNU and RSSFL. The initial three-year agreement was penned and given the success of the partnership, the two organisations have agreed to extend the collaboration for a further three years to 2025.

The renewed partnership will provide students with the opportunity to undergo industrial attachments and receive on the job training that will assist them to be workforce ready.

In the past three years, around 20 students from the university managed to secure employment with RSSFL. A few FNU graduates were also assimilated into the company’s succession planning process and developed into managers.

FNU’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor Research and Innovation Professor Roland De Marco said the University’s 2021-2026 Strategic Plan has key pillars in “Education for Employability” and “Research with Real World Impact” which this partnership firmly was aligned towards.

“The engagement of students in work placements together with the conduct of applied and tactical research to address the needs of RSSFL are making significant contributions to these two key pillars of the FNU Strategic Plan,” said Prof De Marco.

“FNU is delighted that RSSFL is utilising this industrial attachment program to witness first-hand the talent of FNU students, with RSSFL also positioning our graduates on a fast trajectory for advancement to managerial positions.”

“With the provision of work experience and employment together with the conduct of applied and tactical research, the RSSFL partnership is an exemplar in global best practice for industry engaged education and research,” Prof De Marco added.

Ram Sami and Sons (Fiji) Pte Ltd’s Group HR Manager, Rohit P. Chetty said they were delighted to continue with the partnership.

“Majority of the managerial workforce through various of its farms and other departments are from FNU. These are graduates who have progressed through the career development program and are performing very well in the organisation,” said Chetty.

“Through the partnership, we were able to explore new research areas and reduce the skills gap within the organisation. We look forward to receiving more students from FNU and will work collaboratively with responsible stakeholders to further develop Fiji’s workforce.”

FNU’s Dean for the College of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry, Professor Paul Iji said the collaboration is aligned with the University’s plans to conduct research that will help improve the value chain; secure food supply and increase the volume of production of organic food in the country.

“Poultry manure is a waste product of the poultry industry that poses a threat to the environment.  However, RSSFL has added value to the product, to make it a useful alternative to inorganic fertilizers.  This will not only reduce the cost of crop production but also ensure that the crop produce can be organically certified,” Prof Iji said.

“The researchers at FNU will test the product and set the rates of application for a variety of common vegetable crops produced in the country.”

The partnership also allows the exchange of ideas, technology and research in common fields that will benefit both parties. FNU will also provide industrial and technical specialists to assist the poultry company.