Deputy Prime Minister, Honourable Viliame Gavoka opened the Pacific Centre for Border Management and Security Building at the Fiji National University Namaka campus in Nadi on Monday, 17 February 2025. Photo Courtesy: Fiji National University

The Fiji National University (FNU) opened the Pacific Centre for Border Management and Security building and launched its associated programme at the Namaka campus in Nadi, yesterday.

FNU Vice-Chancellor, Professor Unaisi Nabobo-Baba in her keynote address, stated that the centre is a testament to the power of collaboration, vision, and the shared aspiration of strengthening security, trade facilitation, and capacity building in our region.

Professor Nabobo-Baba reflected on FNU’s Strategic Plan 2024–2026, highlighting the university’s mission to serve the people of Fiji and the wider Pacific region through “leadership that engages communities, respects partnerships, enhances excellence, and provides education and skills that promote sustainability through research with real-world impact.”

She emphasised the Centre’s role in investing in “education and training that directly impact national security, economic development, and regional stability.”

She also acknowledged the collaboration with the Centre for Customs & Excise Studies (CCES) of Canberra, Australia, and the Oceania Customs Organisation (OCO), calling it a “collective commitment to strengthening border security and trade facilitation, ensuring that our region remains resilient in the face of emerging challenges.”

The Pacific Centre for Border Management and Security aligns with Priority Area 5 of FNU’s strategic plan – “Education for Employment and Internationalisation.”

“FNU is focused on enhancing the industrial readiness of our graduates, improving pedagogy, and embedding holistic values to ensure that our students possess the skills and competencies required for local and international workplaces,” she said.

She further highlighted the centre’s pivotal role in equipping Fiji and Pacific nations with a skilled workforce in border management, customs, security, and enforcement, preparing professionals “to tackle critical issues such as transnational crime, human trafficking, drug smuggling, biosecurity threats, and illicit trade.”

This initiative directly supports the Government’s National Development Plan (NDP), which prioritises strengthening border management and security.

The centre will be instrumental in achieving key milestones, including enhancing border security, combating transnational crime, improving biosecurity measures, and strengthening inter-agency cooperation.

Fiji National University Vice-Chancellor , Professor Unaisi Nabobo-Baba delivered her keynote address during the launch of the Pacific Centre for Border Management and Security Building opening and programme launch.

Professor Nabobo-Baba added that the Centre will “not only benefit Fiji but will also serve as a hub for the entire Pacific region. It will create a space for knowledge-sharing, research, and innovation in border security, making it an invaluable resource for policymakers and security professionals.”

The work of this Centre aligns with key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Deputy Prime Minister of Fiji, Honourable Viliame Gavoka in his address said the Centre’s establishment is a significant milestone, not only for Fiji but for the entire Pacific region.

Honourable Viliame Gavoka delivered an address during the launch of the Pacific Centre for Border Management and Security Building opening and programme launch.

Honourable Gavoka noted that the centre will “equip Border Management Agencies and Discipline Forces with the specialised knowledge and skills necessary to address the complex and evolving challenges of our modern world.”

“The Centre is a tangible outcome of that partnership” [with Australia].

“Transnational crime, human trafficking, and irregular migration, and the movement of illicit goods are just some of the issues that demand our attention”.

Centre for Customs and Excise Studies at Charles Sturt University, Australia, Chief Executive Officer, Professor David Widdowson emphasised that the centre is “not just for customs but also biosecurity, immigration, maritime enforcement and not just for public sector agency but private sector as well such as the custom brokers and freight forwarders.”

Centre for Customs and Excise Studies at Charles Sturt University, Australia, Chief Executive Officer, Professor David Widdowson shared his remark.

He added that effective border management plays a vital role in a country’s security and prosperity.

“It’s about protecting the country from harmful goods, ensuring that those who enter the country do so lawfully, facilitating trade to boost the economy’s inward investment and above all, protecting the nations sovereignty.”

FNU’s Dean of the College of Business Hospitality and Tourism Studies (CBHTS), Dr Asaeli Tuibeqa extended the University’s gratitude to the Honourable Gavoka and the Government of Fiji for their support.

“The Pacific Centre for Border Management and Security is more than just a facility—it is a beacon of excellence in education, training, and research that will serve Fiji and the Pacific region for years to come,” said Dr Tuibeqa.

“Let us continue to work together, strengthen our partnerships, and drive forward the mission of this Centre to ensure a safer, more secure future for our region.”

ENDS