Fiji National University’s Pro Vice-Chancellor Learning and Teaching, Associate Professor, Dr Jimaima Lako (sitting, centre) with personnel from Fiji’s aviation industry at the Tanoa International Hotel in Nadi.

The Fiji National University’s Department of Aviation Studies (DAS) will be rebranded to the Pacific Centre for Aviation Studies.

This was highlighted by the FNU’s Pro Vice-Chancellor Learning and Teaching, Associate Professor, Dr Jimaima Lako who officially opened the one-day Aviation Industry Engagement Committee Meeting at the Tanoa International Hotel in Nadi. 

This was after a lifetime opportunity unfolded following the gathering of Fiji’s aviation industry giants to discuss a positive pathway forward for FNU’s aviation department.

The DAS falls under the FNU’s College of Engineering & Technical Vocational Education & Training (CETVET).

Dr Lako said that FNU was indeed grateful and happily shared that the meeting was a milestone for FNU especially when the aviation training in Nadi will be rebranded as the Pacific Centre for Aviation Studies.

Fiji National University’s Pro Vice-Chancellor Learning and Teaching, Associate Professor, Dr Jimaima Lako speaking at the Aviation Industry Engagement Committee Meeting at the Tanoa International Hotel in Nadi.

“Through the Fiji-Australia Vuvale Partnership, led by Fiji’s Prime Minister, Honourable Sitiveni Rabuka and Australia’s Prime Minister, Honourable Anthony Albanese, our vision of programme reviews offered under DAS has been fulfilled through an independent consultancy firm – AviPro,” said Dr Jimaima Lako.

She said FNU has only two major programmes offered under DAS – Certificate in Aircraft Maintenance (Mechanical) (Level 4) and Certificate in Aircraft Maintenance (Avionics) (Level 4) and that FNU will welcome other recommended programmes or courses that will bridge any gaps in the curriculum and will contribute to the work-readiness of our graduates.

“With 70 new aviation engineering DFAT (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade) scholarships on offer for the next four years from 2024 to 2028, students will be selected from five regional Pacific Island countries for these aviation and mechanical trades. This is a testimony of support from the Australian Government through the Fiji-Australia Vuvale Partnership,” Dr Lako mentioned.

“This is the first step in the programme review process, and that will provide an avenue of exchange and support for the curriculum exchange process at FNU.”

She said the industry engagement committee was at the core of the development, playing a pivotal role in improving FNU’s aviation programmes.

Dr Lako also added that the recommendations put forward needed to be aligned to the roles and responsibilities that were provided in policy and procedures for the FNU’s Programme Advisory Committee.

AviPro Project Manager, Steve Graham highlighted that the discussion was aimed for the improvement of the aviation industry and to inform FNU about the quality of the graduates, so that the university could adjust its programmes and structure where necessary and potentially put more practical tools or practical methods of training in place.

AviPro Project Manager, Steve Graham.

“The Fiji aviation industry is growing, it’s very much a shining light in the Pacific,” added Graham.

Fiji Airways Senior Manager Maintenance – Aircraft Maintenance Organisation, Clayton Macomber said Fiji Airways looked at FNU’s DAS as a strategic institute that delivered licensed engineers for their organisation.

“We look to the future where we would like to recruit students of FNU with the aim of giving our locals the opportunity to work on multi-million-dollar machines with the latest technology,” said Macomber.

Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji Senior Airworthiness Inspector, Melvin Varma noted that the meeting was a timely one between Industry Engagement Committee, AviPro and FNU.

FNU’s Acting Dean CETVET, Salabogi Mavoa confidently shared that the outcome of the meeting was going to be a positive one.

“This workshop has been long overdue for a better collaboration with the industry, to ensure that our programmes are aligned to the industry requirements. We thank the Australian Government for making this engagement with the industry possible,” shared Mavoa.