Samuela Vadei from Saqani High School is reading the FNUNIKUA during the break at the Careers Teachers’ Workshop at Naduna Campus in Labasa.

Dedication and passion are evident in Teacher Samulea Vadei from Saqani High School, who woke up at 4am to embark on a journey of over 80 kilometres to attend the 2023 Fiji National University (FNU) Careers Teachers’ Workshop at Naduna Campus in Labasa yesterday.

Despite the long travel time, he persevered to learn more about the opportunities available for his students and how he can assist them in their career path and enrolment process at FNU.

As a maths and physics teacher, Vadei understands the importance of guiding students towards their full potential and helping them become successful individuals.

“I woke up early and made sure to hit the road in time to catch the earliest bus at 5.30am. After traveling the long distance, I arrived in Labasa at 9am, just before the start of the workshop,” Vadei said.

“The Careers Teachers’ Workshop is extremely beneficial, especially for teachers like me who come from rural campuses. It allows students to access information about the range of courses offered at the Labasa Campus, without the need to travel all the way to Suva. I have learned that most of the courses are available at the Labasa Campus.”

Pardeep Lal, Head of Naduna Campus, said careers teachers play a critical role in helping students achieve their full potential and build fulfilling and enduring careers.

“With their expertise and dedication, careers teachers empower students to dream big, work smart, and make their mark,” he said.

“This workshop provides the right platform for careers teachers to equip them with correct information and guidance to students.”

Lal added, “The teachers in the northern division can help students become successful people in their lives, and this workshop has equipped them with the right knowledge and skills to counsel students to choose the right career path.”

Teachers during the Careers Teachers’ Workshop at Naduna Campus in Labasa.

Vishal Lal, the FNU Manager Outreach who spearheaded the workshop campaign, emphasised that for FNU to achieve its aim of enabling all students to access quality education, the University must provide the right knowledge on programmes, courses, enrolment processes, and other services.

He further stated that Careers Teachers play a crucial role in this process as they are the connecting link between FNU and the students. By providing teachers with the necessary information and guidance, they can effectively communicate with students and help them make informed decisions about their academic and career paths. This collaborative effort will not only benefit the students but also contribute to the growth and development of the University as a whole.

“We had over 25 teachers attending the workshop in Labasa, and overall, we had successful workshops in Ba, Nadi, and Suva in the last two weeks. By providing students with a strong foundation of knowledge and tailored guidance, educators can help them navigate the complexities of the modern world and make informed decisions about their futures. With the right tools and support, students can overcome challenges, seize opportunities, and make meaningful contributions to their communities and the country.”

Teachers going through the Careers Teachers’ Workshop booklet at the Careers Teachers’ Workshop at Naduna Campus in Labasa.

Ahmadiyya Muslim College Principal Mashud Ali laced with 16 years of experience in teaching said he was privileged to be part of the workshop.

“The Careers Teachers’ Workshop was very informative and surely it is beneficial for the students in our schools whereby we will be clearly able to disseminate information that is needed for a student to choose his or her subject combination, programmes and how to fill the forms,” he said.

“I see this kind of opportunities at the doorstep and FNU offers a wide range of courses. I am pleased to learn that FNU is also giving chance to Year 11 students who drop out from our school system where they can do certificate level programmes and climb up the ladder.”

Teachers in the Maritime zones can also join the virtual session on April 5 from 9am to 11am.

For further information, interested participants can contact the Outreach Team on outreach@fnu.ac.fj.