The Fiji National University (FNU) continues to provide an enriching student learning experience through the opening of the new four-storey College of Business, Hospitality and Tourism Studies (CBHTS) building at the Nasinu Campus.

The new CBHTS complex consists of a Student Central office for students’ academic, finance and ITS needs, classrooms and workspaces and a 450-seat lecture theatre inclusive of accessible seats for students with disabilities.

Attorney-General and Minister for Economy, Honourable Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum was Chief Guest at the opening of FNU’s College of Business, Hospitality and Tourism Studies (CBHTS) four-storey complex at Nasinu Campus.

“In Fiji, you expect the population growth rate to be high because of the younger population, so as the Government, we need to build sustainably,” AG said.

“For any country to develop and realise its full potential, we need to invest in our people, the best way is by ensuring that they are educated, or that they have the requisite skill sets to be able to contribute, not only to their own lives but have a sustainable living themselves to be able to contribute to the country.”

FNU Vice-Chancellor, Professor Lyn Karstadt said the $27 million building project will allow for the centralisation of key services provided to students at the University.

“It is a one-of-a-kind building with very specific functions that will be open to all of the students. Just as importantly, it will be available for functions, where we as FNU can invite the community in to see what our University is capable of,” she said.

Prof Karstadt said FNU had more exciting projects in the future to provide a conducive and enriching student learning experience.

FNU Director Capital Projects and Infrastructure (DCPI), Niranjwan Chettiar said the University was grateful to the Fijian Government for its contribution towards the project.

“The thought process of the project started in 2014. The Management and Council, in the latter part of 2017, agreed to explore the project with a design review to meet the University’s current and future requirements,” Chettiar said.

“We are thankful to the Fijian Government, who brought life to the project through its provision of initial grants. The project was thoroughly reviewed, and proper project governance procedures have led towards ensuring that we are standing here for the opening.”

Chettiar added that the complex had designs such as the lecture capture feature, which allows the recording of lectures as videos and making them available for students to view later.

“The lights in this facility have been specifically designed to ensure that the University’s lighting efficiency requirements are met, while the air-conditioning systems are programmed to avoid energy wastage,” he added.

“Apart from the mitigation strategies implemented, the facility has a backup water and power system to ensure that there are minimum disruptions to the operations.”

Dean CBHTS, Professor Arun Elias said the opening of the new building was a dream come true for the College.

“We are very happy today. This is our dream that has become a reality today,” Prof Elias said.

FNU’s Council and senior leadership team, the project design and construction team and staff and students were present at the opening ceremony.