The Fiji National University (FNU), in partnership with the Fiji Human Resources Institute (FHRI) and Griffith University in Australia, recently hosted a successful networking event at FNU’s Namaka Campus in Nadi.

This collaborative event brought together leaders and professionals to foster meaningful connections and promote shared goals in human resources and higher education.

FNU’s Head of Namaka Campus, Ateca Yavaca, said she was grateful for the opportunity to have Human Resources (HR) experts at the Nadi-based campus.

Yavaca highlighted that it was also an opportune time to have FNU students and academics know more about HR from developing and developed countries.

Head of Department, Economics and Customs under the FNU’s College of Business, Hospitality and Tourism Studies, Melvin Chand said the networking event was invaluable for fostering connections and enhancing knowledge exchange within the field of customs.

“As the Head of Department for Economics and Customs, I observed firsthand how this event facilitated dialogue on critical industry trends, aligned academic insights with practical applications, and strengthened our collaborations with key industry and academic partners,” said Chand.

“Such networking opportunities enable our students and faculty to engage with leaders in human resources, broadening their understanding and paving pathways for future partnerships and professional development.”

Raffe Hotels & Resorts Group Manager – Learning, Capability and Quality, Altaab Khan, who is also a member of the FHRI said the event was an exciting time for all people under the HR umbrella.

“We have about 20 students who have come out on three weeks learning adventure and as part of this they collaborate with the local universities and these students are specifically doing their studies in Human Resources Management,” said Khan.

“It is a great platform for the local industry partners who are from the HR fields, the university students and academics from the local universities and of course the FHRI to all come together to share ideas and knowledge which becomes mutually beneficial to the students, members of the FHRI, our local university and everybody at large.”

He said the event was also in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4 which is to provide quality education.