Eighteen-year-old Navitalai Vola Tuicikobia enjoys creating things from scratch and working with his hands. It is these qualities that drove him to enrol in Certificate IV in Carpentry at Fiji National University (FNU).

The Certificate programme is offered through FNU’s College of Engineering, Science and Technology (CEST).
Tuicikobia shared his story while attending the Orientation session at FNU’s Ba Campus this morning.
The former Natabua High School student said he developed an interest in Carpentry from a young age.

“It is satisfying to see something I have created using my hands and my mind. I know as a carpenter, I will solve problems by being patient and using my creativity,” he said.
Tuicikobia said he is a step closer to his dream after enrolling at FNU, and I learnt a lot about tertiary education during the orientation.

“After the completion of my certificate level, I would love to pursue further studies in land surveying.”
“I’m happy that FNU offers this programme at Ba Campus, as I will not have to travel far and live away from my family,” he said.

According to Tuicikobia, he has always assisted his family in picking and loading construction materials into trucks.
“Growing up, I learnt from relatives the art of carpentry by holding the end of the measuring tapes and by assisting in counting the items that were required.”
“During school breaks, I used to hang out wherever construction works were going, and I used to assist the carpenters by holding the end of boards as they cut. At times I helped with the minor demolition works,” he said excitedly.
Tuicikobia said FNU was his preferred university because FNU provides students with the required skills to work in the building and construction industry.

“At FNU, I will learn to perform a wide range of tasks in the building and construction industry. I am looking forward to being trained in various fields in the carpentry industry such as drawings and specifications to determine materials required, ordering and selecting timbers and materials and preparing layouts,” he said.
“I’m excited to meeting new students and lecturers and a new place to be in; however, I take this as a reward, a reward to pursue my dreams”, adds Tuicikobia.

Orientation sessions at FNU’s West Campuses commenced today and continue tomorrow.

Navitalai Vola Tuicikobia completing his enrolment formalities.