FNU students during a class at FNU’s Derrick Campus.

The Fiji National University (FNU) has been granted full accreditation for its Level 6 Diploma in Engineering programmes by Engineering New Zealand (ENZ), marking a significant milestone in the University’s ongoing commitment to academic excellence in engineering education.

This accreditation is valid for three years, following the conditional approval received in 2022. The confirmation of full accreditation comes just ahead of another accreditation visit scheduled for Monday, 28 July, where Engineering NZ will assess five of FNU’s Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) programmes.

FNU’s Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Nii-K Plange

“This is a proud moment for the University,” said Professor Nii-K Plange, Acting Vice-Chancellor of FNU. “The full accreditation affirms the quality, standards, and commitment of our staff and academic leaders who have worked tirelessly over the years to develop and maintain engineering programmes that are globally aligned.”

The decision was based on FNU’s strong progress report and the successful review by Dr Andrew Cleland during his visit earlier this year. According to Mr Brett Williams, General Manager Global of Engineering NZ, the Standards and Accreditation Board confirmed that the University had sufficiently met the conditions set during the initial 2022 visit.

Engineering NZ has updated its online accreditation listing of five programmes:

1. Diploma in Engineering (Civil)
2. Diploma in Engineering (Mechanical)
3. Diploma in Engineering (Electronics, Telecommunication & Networking)
4. Diploma in Engineering (Electronics, Instrumentation & Control)
5. Diploma in Engineering (Electrical)

FNU’s five Diploma programmes received full accreditation status from ENZ. The accreditation by ENZ under the Dublin Accord has several significant implications for FNU’s five Diploma accredited programmes in the relevant and allied engineering technology areas:

1. International Recognition: This accreditation signifies that FNU’s five engineering Diploma programmes qualifications are now recognised by all signatories of the Dublin Accord. This enhances the global mobility and employability of our graduates in aligned technical and engineering roles.
2. Benchmarking Against International Standards: The accreditation confirms that FNU’s five Diploma programmes meet internationally benchmarked standards for engineering technician education, supporting continuous quality enhancement and institutional credibility.
3. Curriculum and Delivery Alignment: FNU’s five programmes need to maintain alignment with the standards and expectations set by the Dublin Accord, including emphasis on practical competence, applied learning, and strong industry relevance.
4. Pathways for Professional Registration: FNU’s Diploma graduates from accredited programmes may be eligible to pursue registration as Engineering Technicians in New Zealand and other Accord-signatory countries, providing career advancement opportunities.
5. Enhanced Collaboration and Articulation: This recognition can facilitate smoother articulation between TVET and higher-level engineering programmes within FNU, and foster partnerships with international institutions and industry bodies.

While celebrating this achievement, FNU acknowledges that there is work still ahead to continuously improve the programmes and benchmark with other institutions internationally.

FNU extends its sincere appreciation to Professors John Mo and Ankim Swamy, whose academic leadership and guidance have been instrumental throughout the accreditation journey.

As the University prepares to welcome Engineering NZ for the upcoming Bachelor-level accreditation, FNU remains confident that the dedication and precision shown to date will continue to be reflected in future assessments.