Nadoi Villager Aminio Sautubu has taken the first leap towards turning his dreams into reality at the Fiji National University (FNU).

The 18-year-old from the province of Rewa successfully enrolled into the University’s, College of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry’s (CAFF) Diploma in Applied Fisheries (Level 5) programme during a Community Outreach carried out by the University yesterday.

FNU, in partnership with the Rewa Provincial Council, will be engaging with the nine different districts in the Province of Rewa to shed light on educational pathways in trade and higher education provided by the institution.

This is in line with Pillar 3 of FNU’s 2021-2026 Strategic Planner, to empower all Fijians with education and skill sets and to empower job seekers into job creators.

Sautubu was glad to find FNU’s admission team a few steps away from where he was assisting with the lunch for the Rewa Provincial Council Meeting. Upon enquiry, he made his way to the booth and successfully applied.

“I was studying at the Ratu Sukuna Secondary School, but I left school when I was in Year 12 due to financial difficulties,” Sautubu said.

“I left school and went out to the sea to save enough money to invest in my education.”

“Ever since a young age, and coming from a fisheries background, I have always wanted to be a Fisheries Officer at the Ministry, and today I am one step closer to achieving that goal.”

Rewa Provincial Council Education Committee member, Etuate Mataitini said the Council welcomed FNU and its commitment to visiting the various districts to create more awareness.

The 65-year-old from Lomanikoro Village in Rewa said the collaboration between FNU and the Council was part of the Rewa Development Goal to provide educational opportunities to students with various levels of qualification.

“This meeting today was about updating members of the Tikina on issues that we felt needed to be addressed,” he said.

“Seeing FNU part of the first meeting of the Tikina on Monday was delightful, and I look forward to seeing the institution for the rest of the week as part of the meetings in the Rewa Province.”

“Now that we are in partnership, it is all in the Rewa Development Plan and it would benefit individuals greatly, as well as benefit the province of Rewa and Fiji as a whole. Getting students to be a part of the journey of the programmes that FNU offers will benefit the nation.”

“Bringing FNU this close to the people is very good – welcome FNU! The Rewa Provincial Council is very happy to have you here.”

“FNU coming down to Nadoi Village in Rewa Province was very good, as a matter of fact, it is part of the Rewa Sustainable Development Goal, as there is a mention of partnerships between tertiary and vocational institutions.”

Rewa Provincial Council Education Committee member, Etuate Mataitini.

Mataitini further added that the programmes offered by FNU, being a dual-sector university, will benefit the student in picking the right pathways to a successful future.

The FNU team will be visiting Nakorovou, Naivikisara, Laucala, Vunisei, Namakala, Dakuni and Nawaisomo villages in the Province of Rewa over the next few days.