FNU Vice-Chancellor Professor Lyn Karstadt, FNU Council Deputy Chair Dr Nur Bano Ali, Chief Guest and Minister for Education, Heritage, and Arts Honourable Premila Kumar, and College of Business, Hospitality, and Tourism Studies Dean Professor Arun Elias at the International Conference at FNU’s Namaka Campus in Nadi.

Minister of Education, Heritage, and Arts, Honourable Premila Kumar, commended Fiji National University for organising the 2022 International Conference on Business, Hospitality, and Tourism at the Namaka Campus in Nadi.

The honourable Kumar was the Chief Guest at the opening of the conference, where about 200 participants from the business industry were attending the two-day conference.

She mentioned that by organising the conference, the College had provided the perfect opportunity to collaborate with the academia and practitioners to discuss sustainable approaches towards post-pandemic recovery despite the major threat looming us (fourth wave of Covid).

Participants at the International Conference on Business, Hospitality and Tourism at FNU’s Namaka Campus in Nadi.

“I am pleased to note that the College is hosting the first-ever International Conference on Business, Hospitality, and Tourism (ICBHT) this month on the theme ‘Post-Pandemic Resilience: A Sustainable Approach.’ During the 2020 and 2021 pandemic, our borders were closed, and our economy suffered, but our resilience and our brave Fijian spirit got us through the darkest period in the nation’s history. Here we are getting back on our feet and showing the world that Fiji is open and ready for business once again,” she said.

“As the national university, FNU is a proud dual-sector university committed to higher education and Technical and Vocational Education and Training. FNU has been known for its TVET programmes and has been assisting the business sector with producing the right skills so businesses can grow and contribute to our economic growth.

“FNU’s College of Business, Hospitality, and Tourism Studies plays an important role in the socio-economic affairs of Fiji and the region, I know regional students come and study at FNU. The College has significantly contributed towards the training and educating thousands of Fijian employees in the tourism and hospitality sectors, both locally and internationally.”

FNU Vice-Chancellor Professor Lyn Karstadt said the conference would bring together academics and practitioners to debate a long-term strategy to post-pandemic resilience and discuss the theme.

“Our duty is to ensure that we provide the students with the best knowledge and practical experience to make them day one workforce ready,” Professor Karstadt said.

“We also strive to provide our students with the best possible experience that allows them to develop personally, morally, and spiritually as well as intellectually, and to thrive, learn, question, and succeed as global citizens.”

Executive Dean, Faculty of Business and Law, University of Wollongong, Australia Professor Colin Picker presenting at the International Conference on Business, Hospitality and Tourism at FNU’s Namaka Campus in Nadi

CBHTS Dean Professor Arun Elias said he had high hopes that the conference would help and assist the people, businesses, and the Fijian economy to flourish and prosper with the help of the discussions.

“The pandemic has taught us that nothing can be taken for granted; even the biggest emperor in the world can come down.

“I thank our international speakers, presenters, and participants who have come from other countries to be part of the conference and contribute to the healthy discussions with the other participants.

“Your valuable contribution matters to Fiji National University through the valuable knowledge and information you will share with the rest of us.”