FNU launches new Basic Operations in a Call Centre (Level 3) course

Press Release Posted On: December 21, 2021

The Fiji National University’s (FNU) first-ever Basic Operations in a Call Centre (Level 3) course is in line with the Fijian Government’s vision for the national university, says Attorney-General and Minister for Economy, Civil Service, Communications, Housing and Community Development, Honourable Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.

Whilst launching the course at Nasinu Campus last week, the Honourable Sayed-Khaiyum said the course would address the current needs of the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) Council and the industry needs. He highlighted that BPO was a growing sector in Fiji.

“The way the Government envisions FNU is to essentially provide a tertiary institution of excellence that not only excels in the academic field where it has academics who teach, who themselves are highly skills-centred but also are able to offer courses that are recognised internationally,” Hon Sayed-Khaiyum said.

“FNU should also, at the same time, be able to offer technical and vocational courses that have a practical application and is highly responsive to the employment needs and demands of the market.”

A-G added that many businesses chose to have outsourced centres in Fiji due to its time zone location, connectivity infrastructures such as the Southern Cross Cable, good local command of written and spoken English and neutral accents.

FNU Acting Vice-Chancellor, Dr William May added that the course was a culmination of collaborative work by the Ministry of Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport (MCTTT), the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) Council and FNU.

“Both organisations recognised the need to improve local capacity and capability within Call Centres in Fiji for upskilling customer services representatives and to build a cadre of agents that are compatible with international call centre standards,” Dr May said.

“The Training will not only benefit the Call Centre Providers in Fiji but will also upgrade the Customer Service Training in Fiji as a whole.”

“At FNU, we are committed to putting our students at the heart of everything we do; to working together with students, employers and development partners; to ensuring that our TVET programmes are future-focused, entrepreneurial and innovative; and to tailoring our offer to the needs of the post-pandemic economy and the opportunities of the 21st century.”

BPO Council President Carol Watkins said the course was a milestone for the BPO industry and its working relationship with FNU. The course will address the current skills gap.

“This project is close to my heart as it brings us closer to our goal in creating awareness for the industry globally, boosting investor and client confidence in our people – who are truly our greatest asset – by working alongside key stakeholders to develop and grow the industry to the level where it becomes a major contributor to Fiji’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP),” Watkins said.

“An introduction of the course is an added advantage to the industry as it recognises the key potential contribution of the BPO industry to Fiji’s economy. It also sends a message that we are serious about taking our natural culture of service to the world, and we are here to stay.”

The Basic Operations in a Call Centre (Level 3) course is also part of the Fijian Government’s Reskilling and Upskilling initiative. The fully-funded course can be undertaken by Fijians whose employment was affected by COVID-19.

Applications are available online and will close on December 22, 2021. Visit https://www.fnu.ac.fj/study/apply/ for more details.