A collaboration between the Griffith Business School (GBS) and Fiji National University’s (FNU) College of Business, Hospitality and Tourism Studies (CBHTS) saw a cohort of 20 GBS students immerse in an educational experience beyond their traditional classroom setting.

The 3004GBS Human Resources Study Tour, led by GBS’s Dr William Vuk Despotovic and Dr Judy Taubner-Ragg from the Department of Employment Relations and Human Resources, brought the selected students to FNU’s Namaka Campus in Nadi recently.

The tour focused on the contribution of human resource management (HRM) to the efficiency and productivity of organisations in the Asia- Pacific region.

FNU’s academic staff collaborated with academic staff from GBS to deliver lectures on various HR topics such as HR planning, recruitment and selection, training and development, and performance management.

The students engaged in interactive sessions on cross-cultural competency and intercultural communication, complemented by presentations from local stakeholders like Reddy Group, Fiji Air Terminal Services, National Training and Productivity Centre, and Fiji Airports. These were complemented with site visits providing insights into real-world applications of HRM principles and knowledge.

Besides the academic exchange, students also immersed in Fiji’s rich culture, partaking in Diwali celebrations and building connections with FNU students and teachers.

Deeya David, a Griffith University Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Government International Relations student, remarked that the experience enabled him to develop HRM knowledge, gain insights, and foster lasting connections with FNU peers and fellow Griffith students.

Echoing these sentiments, Emma White, a Bachelor of Business student, stated the study tour has shaped her interest in global HRM and was the definite highlight of her academic studies.

This initiative was supported by the Australian Government’s New Colombo Plan (NCP) Mobility Program, reaffirming its commitment to nurturing global citizenship among students.