Kiri Verewale at a seaweed farm.

Kiri Verewale believes technical and vocational education and training provides students with the appropriate skillset they require to pursue employment opportunities available in the industry.

Verewale graduated with the Trade Diploma in Aquaculture from Fiji National University’s (FNU), College of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (CAFF) in 2018 and said she is now implementing the theoretical and practical knowledge at her place of work.

The 24-year-old from Lomani Koro, Bau Island in Tailevu is a Project Officer Seaweed with the Ministry of Fisheries and is based at its Labasa office.

“When I arrived at the Koronivia Campus in 2016, an academic told me about this course and because I was intrigued, my curiosity led me to enrol in this programme and with the support of my lecturers and the conducive learning environment at FNU, campus life was phenomenal,” she said.

“The skills learnt from the course were relevant and we usually have practical classes where we go out to the field and practice what we have learnt during lecture classes.  Some of the skills we learnt were site surveys, soil test, water test and pond construction and pond management.”

“I use these skills now, as a seaweed officer, for site selections and water tests.”

The Aquaculture programme at FNU enables graduates to be competent in the area of freshwater, coastal aquaculture and mariculture, fish breeding and hatchery and pond management and aquaculture craft and gear technology, aquaculture nutrition and aquatic farming systems.

The graduates will have qualifications that will prepare them for employment and self-employment opportunities as well as lay the foundations for a lifetime of continuous learning and personal development.

In her current role, Verewale is responsible for site assessments, planting of seedlings, monitoring, harvesting and recording, consultation and compiling of reports and consultation services.

Verewale is confident in her role of contributing to the country’s national development, saying that seaweed planting is a source of employment and income for Fiji’s rural and maritime villages.

“As a seaweed project officer assisting farmers and communities, I know I am contributing to the development of the nation by developing at the village and community levels.”

Nearing one year of employment, Verewale reflected on her nervousness of being stationed on another island away from home.

“Despite this, I was still excited at the opportunity, signed the contract and travelled to Labasa after spending my whole life on Viti Levu,” she said.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to be employed by the Ministry and the staff here in Labasa have been very supportive, which has allowed me to learn new things and further develop my networks.”

The Trade Diploma in Aquaculture course is offered through the University’s technical and vocational education and training (TVET) stream. Interested students and stakeholders can learn more by visiting https://www.fnu.ac.fj/tvet-pasifika/

For all details relating to Admission and Enrolment please email: pritika.m@fnu.ac.fj

For all queries related to programmes, please email: rohitkkishore@gmail.com