38 students from Fiji and the Pacific honoured at the completion ceremony held at the Fiji National University Nasinu Campus today, 29 October 2025.
A total of 38 students from Fiji and across the Pacific region were honoured at the Fiji National University’s (FNU) Office of Learning and Teaching’s International Office Year-End Completion Ceremony today.
These individuals, who have successfully completed their studies at FNU, represent a diverse group of undergraduate and master’s level scholars supported by the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s (DFAT) Australia Awards Pacific Scholarships (AAPS).
FNU’s Pro Vice-Chancellor Learning and Teaching Professor Jimaima Lako delivers her remarks at the completion ceremony.
FNU Pro Vice-Chancellor Learning and Teaching, Professor Jimaima Lako, addressed the graduates today, emphasising the importance of values such as integrity, resilience, and service as they return to their respective nations.
“The knowledge you have acquired at FNU is not only a personal achievement but also a gift that can be used to foster development, promote positive change, and build stronger societies across the Pacific,” she said.
“Your presence here today embodies this mission, you have come to us from various Pacific nations, eager to gain knowledge and skills that will empower you to make tangible contributions to your communities and beyond. We are proud to have played a role in your educational journey, and we are confident that the skills and experiences you have gained will serve as a foundation for your future endeavours.”
DFAT Programme Officer, Betty Colati
DFAT Programme Officer, Betty Colati highlighted the broader significance of the Australia Awards Pacific Scholarships.
“The scholarships are not just about gaining a qualification, they’re about building lasting connections and supporting a vibrant, resilient Pacific region,” she stated.
“Many of you have made big sacrifices, leaving loved ones behind, adapting to new environments, and pushing through challenges both academic and personal and this speak volumes about your determination and grace and a testament to your hard work.”
Tofia Afioga receives his programme competition notice during the completion ceremony.
Among the graduates was Tofia Afioga from Samoa, who completed his Master’s Degree in General Nursing at the College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences (CMNHS).
“DFAT and FNU has not only supported me as a student, they have helped lay the groundwork for something bigger, the future of advanced nursing practice in Samoa. Their support made it possible for me to carry out research back home, research that now serves as the first empirical evidence in Samoa assessing the perceptions of healthcare professionals towards the introduction of the Nurse Practitioner role,” Afioga said.
“This is more than an academic exercise. It is a foundation, a stepping stone for policy-makers, educators, and health leaders to understand the opportunities and challenges before implementation. This is the power of the scholarship programme; it equips us not only with knowledge, but with the means to generate knowledge that is rooted in the realities of our communities.”
The ceremony underscored FNU’s commitment to fostering regional development through education and the transformative power of international scholarship partnerships.
For more information, visit the FNU website at http://www.fnu.ac.fj.
ENDS