The Fiji National University (FNU) is disappointed with the highly sensationalised, factually incorrect, and misleading news report which appeared in the ‘Shine a Light’ column of the Fiji Sun on Saturday, 02 April 2022.
The Fiji National University (FNU) has continuously prioritised the provision of affordable and accessible education to all Fijians. Over the years, the University has invested in expanding its programmes and facilities to provide a conducive and enriching student learning experience.
As the national University, these expansion plans align well with the Government’s ‘Look North’ policy to revitalise Vanua Levu’s economy and the need to provide high-quality, industry-relevant education and training to help the country bounce back from the impact of COVID-19.
These plans highlight FNU’s commitment to enhancing tertiary education and training opportunities for students across Fiji and achieving optimum value for money in the investment of public funds.
The University was allowed to refurbish an existing campus into a high-quality one at a considerably lower cost to the public purse, given the economic impact of COVID-19 on the nation.
After undertaking extensive consultations with our stakeholders, we believe that this new solution provides a responsible, cost-effective, and high-quality solution for the people of Vanua Levu. The new campus offers a significantly enhanced learning and teaching environment for Vanua Levu students enrolled in TVET and higher education programmes. It will also enable FNU to expand its provision into new areas that meet local labor-market needs, such as catering and hospitality.
The new campus is currently undergoing major refurbishment and digital upgrade works and will comprise lecture and tutorial rooms, a library, ICT labs, TVET workshops, and staff offices.
The campus also has attractive outdoor spaces for sports and social learning. In the medium-term, FNU has plans to convert the staff quarters into hostel accommodation, to meet the needs of students from remote areas of Vanua Levu. Given this, the University is putting on hold its plans to construct a new campus in Labasa.
As stated in Parliament by the Honourable Minister for Education, Heritage, and Arts earlier this year, funds are still available to complete this project.
However, delays and unsatisfactory workmanship of the main contractor led FNU to terminate their services as per the clauses provided in the contract signed on 16 April 2018.
Therefore, the University is disappointed with the highly sensationalised, mischievous, and misleading news report which appeared in the ‘Shine a Light’ column of the Fiji Sun on Saturday, 02 April 2022.
The article is misleading in that its headline contains a figure that is ambiguous and seems to imply that $80 million was spent on the project, which is not the case.
Furthermore, it has been brought to our attention that the reporter may have also violated sections of the Media Code of Conduct.
The reporters did not follow proper and ethical procedures, which led to inaccuracies in the article.
Having said this, the University remains committed to its strategic objectives in the North and will continue to enhance its learning and teaching delivery for the benefit of our students.
The site initially earmarked for the new campus, situated in a key development corridor adjacent to the Labasa River, will be developed to provide commercial, educational, and community use facilities to enhance the amenities available for the residents of Labasa.
This strategy underlines FNU’s commitment to corporate social responsibility and serving its communities.
Dr William May
Acting Vice-Chancellor