Terence Newton.

Studying in a technical or vocational field enables one to gain specific skills and knowledge required in a particular field of expertise when entering the workforce, says Fiji National University (FNU) graduate Terence Newton.

Newton, 25, graduated in 2016 with a Trade Diploma in Customs from FNU’s College of Business, Hospitality and Tourism Studies and said he was proud to have studied in an area of national importance.

“I quickly developed interest in this field during high school when I would watch a show on television that dealt with border protection and so straight after my Fiji Seventh Form Examination, I did my research on courses available that I could enroll in,” he said.

“Border protection is crucial for any country as you need to control and be aware of what goes out, and more importantly, what comes into the country.”

“I strongly believed that a profession in this field was best suited to my interests and was glad when I found out about the course at FNU.”

Newton said after discussions with the Head of Department, he applied for the course and was pleased when he received his offer letter two days letter.

“I couldn’t wait to begin classes and one thing I was grateful for was that my units were also offered at the Namaka Campus in Nadi.”

“I was able to stay with my family in the West during my studies and I looked forward to classes everyday because most of our lectures were based on real events and situations that were happening so this definitely held my interest.”

During his second last trimester of studies, Newton was offered a permanent position at TNT Express, Nadi as an export clerk doing Customs clearance for all exports.

“At first I thought it was a work attachment that I needed to undertake as part of the programme at FNU, but I was happy when told it was a permanent role. At TNT I later joined the imports clerks during import clearance.”

After graduating in 2016, Newton continued working at TNT Express before joining Williams & Goslings as an import clerk.

In 2017, he was offered a position at the Fiji Revenue & Customs Service as an Assistant Customs Officer and was based at Nadi International Airport.

“I love what I do and I’m glad I pursued this academically as I am now working and able to support myself and my family when needed,” Newton said.

“The technical and vocational education and training (TVET) skills I’ve gained from FNU and now during my work experiences have been instrumental in building my career.”

“After working as an Assistant Customs Officer based in the Primary Line Department at the airport, I was later promoted to Customs Officer in 2018 and was based in the Secondary Line Department.”

Newton is now based at the Border Enforcement Unit in Suva as an Intelligence Officer since April this year.

He has been seconded to the Fiji Navy and is based at the Stanley Brown office in Walu Bay where he currently does yacht analysis and vessel monitoring.

“Anyone can achieve their ambitions if they work towards it through tertiary studies and the support of their family and friends,” he said.

FNU is a dual-sector university that provides vocational education and training and higher education programmes in Fiji and the Pacific region. Enrolment for Semester 1, 2021 is now underway.

For further details, visit the FNU website: www.fnu.ac.fj or contact the following staff:
Nasinu Campus: Riteshni Singh at Division of Marketing and Communications. | Email: sopo@fnu.ac.fj
Natabua Campus: Saleshni Chaudhary at Academic Office | Email: meofficer@fnu.ac.fj
Labasa Campus: Pardeep Lal at Admin Office | Email: hcl@fnu.ac.fj