With over two decades of higher education and extensive leadership experience, eminent academic Professor Arun Elias aims to set a new benchmark for the Fiji National University’s (FNU) College of Business, Hospitality and Tourism Studies (CBHTS).

The newly appointed CBHTS Dean was officially welcomed by the FNU staff at the Nasinu Campus last week. He joins FNU from Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand after working there for the past 22 years.

Professor Elias hopes to make a significant impact on the University’s teaching and research in the higher education, and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) areas.

“I am elated to have been appointed as the new Dean and taking the FNU’s College of Business, Hospitality and Tourism studies to new heights is my utmost priority at this stage,” stated Professor Elias.

“I am glad to announce that through a collective and participative process, CBHTS has identified five strategic priorities to focus on.  This includes enhancing research and growing the number of academic staff with PhDs; continuous innovation of learning and teaching; enriching industry/stakeholder engagement; building international links, and working towards international accreditations,” he mentioned.

“FNU is a dual-sector university and the core purpose of CBHTS flows from this – we are a dual-sector business school, aiming to excel in both higher education and in TVET” he added.

Prior to joining FNU, Professor Elias held the position of Associate Dean (International and Accreditation) with the Wellington School of Business and Government at the Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand from 2017. Before becoming the Associate Dean, he was the Director of Master of Business Administration (MBA) for seven years, Director of Postgraduate programmes in Management, and an Associate Professor in Management at Victoria University of Wellington’s Business School. In addition to two Masters degrees, he also holds a PhD in Management from Victoria University of Wellington.

FNU Vice-Chancellor Professor Toby Wilkinson said the incoming CBHTS Dean brings a wealth of global talent and experience to the institution in support of the University’s vision and mission as outlined in its new five-year Strategic Plan.

“In addition to his academic strengths, Professor Elias’s experience in the industry, TVET and higher education will be invaluable for leading the development of a dual-sector college with a strong focus on employer engagement and graduate employability,” mentioned Professor Wilkinson.

Professor Elias has also worked in industry and the TVET sector in India and New Zealand. He brings extensive experience of international accreditation of business schools, being both a mentor for the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and a panel member of the Association of MBA’s (AMBA) accreditation panel.