Participants of the 7th National Conference on Information Technology (NCIT) at Shangri-La.

The Fiji National University’s (FNU) National Training and Productivity Centre (NTPC) has contributed to UNESCO’s first practical guide, on integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), becoming the first TVET institution in the Pacific to do so.

The achievement is a significant milestone for FNU and highlights the important role, Pacific knowledge and experience can play in global discussions on education, skills development and emerging technologies.

FNU Pro Vice-Chancellor TVET Pasifika and NTPC Director, Dr Isimeli Tagicakiverata, highlighted the achievement during Day One of the 2026 National Conference on Information Technology (NCIT), currently underway at the Shangri-La Fiji.

The conference has brought together policymakers, researchers, industry leaders and members of the Internet governance community to discuss how technology can help build a more secure, trusted and inclusive digital Pacific.

FNU Pro Vice-Chancellor TVET Pasifika and NTPC Director, Dr Isimeli Tagicakiverata

Dr Tagicakiverata said FNU’s contribution to the UNESCO guide shows that Pacific perspectives have an important place in global conversations about the future of education and work.

“This is an important achievement for FNU and demonstrates that Pacific knowledge and experience have an important place in global conversations about the future of education and work.”

“Digital progress should not simply be measured by faster networks or smarter devices. We should also ask whether a student on a remote island can access quality education, whether a farmer can reach new markets, whether people can access healthcare, and whether our young people can find new opportunities,” he said.

Dr Tagicakiverata added that technology is changing almost every sector, making it important for education and training institutions to prepare graduates with both technical skills and the ability to adapt to change.

“As Fiji’s national university, FNU has a responsibility to help lead this journey. Technology is changing almost every sector, and we must prepare graduates who are not only technically skilled, but also adaptable, innovative and responsible,” Dr Tagicakiverata stated.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Industries, Commerce and Business Development, and Public Enterprises, Honourable Manoa Kamikamica, said this year’s conference theme reflects an important principle for Fiji as the country moves further into the digital age.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Industries, Commerce and Business Development, and Public Enterprises, Honourable Manoa Kamikamica,

“The vanua is not something we leave behind as we move into virtual spaces. It is the foundation we carry with us, our sense of identity, community and mutual obligation, and it is precisely that foundation which should shape how we build trust, security and inclusion into every digital system we design,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

Honourable Kamikamica added that Fiji has set ambitious digital development targets for 2030.

“By 2030, our goal is to have 80% of key government services fully digitalised, create 40,000 ICT jobs across various sectors, achieve 50% of 5G technology coverage, roll out and adopt a National ID, strengthen the adoption of cybersecurity practices across the whole of society, and increase the resilience of our critical infrastructure and critical information infrastructure, to name a few. These all require the right foundational work which is already happening.”

“The Data Protection Legal Framework is being put in place. We have completed the National Privacy and Personal Data Protection Policy that is built on eight core principles, where every person’s privacy comes first. Our policy is aligned to the only global data protection treaty, which the GDPR is based on,” said Honourable Kamikamica.

The Deputy Prime Minister further added that work has progressed on the review of the Telecommunications Act and Online Safety Act and the development of a new National ID.

“I am sure most of you have been part of the national consultations,” he said.

He also highlighted the work of Fiji’s new National CERT in responding to cyber incidents and helping organisations prepare for potential threats.

“When a cyber incident hits, our new National CERT is already getting organisations back on their feet and, as a preparedness measure, facilitating cyber drills for different sectors. Behind the scenes, a 24/7 Government Network and Security Operations Centre ensures that government networks and infrastructure are protected,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

The Deputy Prime Minister also stated that the continued expansion of universal service and 5G rollout is helping strengthen Fiji’s digital backbone.

“Faster networks are reaching more of our people, as the universal service programme and 5G rollout continues to expand the country’s digital backbone. The new National Cyber Security Website gives every Fijian one place to report harm, flag an incident, and find information on how to better protect themselves online. Please check it out if you haven’t already,” Honourable Kamikamica elaborated.

For FNU, contributing to UNESCO’s first practical guide on AI and TVET is an opportunity to ensure that Pacific experience is part of the global conversation about how technology is changing education and the workplace.

It also reflects FNU’s commitment to preparing students and workers with the skills, knowledge and confidence they need to navigate a changing world.

This year’s conference theme is “From Vanua to Virtual: People, Trust and Technology Driving a Secure, Trusted and Productive Digital Pacific.”

The 2026 National Conference on Information Technology concludes tomorrow.