Fiji National University hosts webinar to mark diplomatic relations between Korea and Fiji.
The Fiji National University (FNU) through the College of Humanities and Education (CHE) hosted a webinar in collaboration with the Korean Embassy in Fiji and Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) Fiji Office to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Fiji.
In his opening remarks, FNU Vice-Chancellor Professor Toby Wilkinson highlighted that Korea’s role in Fiji and across the Pacific presents a shining example of the power of international relations to change the world for the better.
“FNU itself has been a beneficiary of this cooperation and the generous and farsighted assistance provided to Fiji by KOICA,” said Professor Wilkinson.
“Korea’s generous and thoughtful support to developing countries stems from its own experiences. Korea’s remarkable success over the past seven decades is an inspiration to country’s like Fiji which is on the path to developed status.”
“Here, in the Pacific, we particularly applaud Korea’s emphasis on sustainable development and climate change adaptation and we thank Korea for its support and encouragement as Fiji and other Pacific Island nations chart a more sustainable and resilient future.”
‘The Humanities in the Pacific in the New Normal’ webinar also provided a platform to KOICA Alumni to share their knowledge and experiences gained from Korea through the KOICA fellowship programme, which includes master’s scholarship programme and short-term capacity building programmes.
Three KOICA alumni members presented their educational experiences while pursuing a master’s degree in Korea and how their knowledge can further be applied to the local context. The topics ranged from the use of biofuels as renewable energy, economic and environmental benefits of sea cucumber, and the prospect of community development in Fiji, learning from the South Korean experience.
VC Wilkinson emphasised that “Education is truly the key to development.”
“We’ve seen from the presentations in this session that the quality and the standard of education in Korea is amongst the very best in the world and that is true at every level of education, from primary all the way through to university and indeed it has been that focus on excellent education that has empowered Korea’s remarkable development since the 1950s.”
“I’m very inspired by the stories that we’ve heard by the alumni who have come back from Korea invigorated by that extraordinary educational experiences that they’ve received and I know that colleagues here at the College of Humanities and Education will also be inspired by these stories, to strengthen education at all levels in Fiji so that we may too take our place amongst the developed nations in the world,” he added.
In his presentation, the Korean Ambassador to Fiji, Young-kyu Park congratulated 50 years of diplomatic relations between Korea and Fiji on how the partnership and ties have been built since 1971.
“Over the past half-century, the two countries have cultivated a precious friendship and expanded cooperation in various areas.”
The Country Director of KOICA Fiji Office Kapchae Ra highlighted that the partnership between the two countries will become even stronger through continuous cooperation, such as this event and KOICA is looking forward to further exploring collaboration with partners in Fiji towards capacity building of human resources in the country.
The College of Humanities and Education has planned similar webinars throughout this year.