In addition to following a healthy diet and lifestyle, the environment we live in also contributes to our physical, social and mental health. Safe, healthy and supportive environments foster good health and wellbeing and provide basic necessities for survival such as clean air, food security, clean drinking water and safe environment to live, for leisure and to age with dignity.
Those who study in the field of environmental health do so with the intention of understanding and addressing health issues in the context of the surrounding environment and its influence on the individual and population health.
Emosi Tuilevu Vimatemate was one such student who decided to pursue qualifications in this field. He did so by enrolling in the Fiji National University’s (FNU) Bachelor of Environment Health programme that was offered through the College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences (CMNHS).
With prior qualifications from FNU in Higher Education in Diploma in Animal Health that he attained in 2015, Vimatemate decided to enhance further his skills and knowledge.
“I believe and look forward to the day when one health in all areas such as human health, environmental health and animal health is given the same priority globally,” he said.
“Three years after my graduation from FNU, I knew I would always return to continue my studies here. I enjoyed returning to experience tertiary life and studies again. The course was also relevant as we were given tasks on real-world scenarios which made it easier for us to learn and understand.”
“I received quality learning and teaching from FNU during my undergraduate journey and the campus life was also enriching.”
Vimatemate also highlighted the learning benefits he gained from the field visits to treatment plant sites.
Studying amidst a global pandemic was also an experience he would never forget. Vimatemate succeeded by prioritising his studies and counted on the support given by his family to cope with the adapted methods of online and remote learning that the University undertook since last year.
Vimatemate is currently employed as a Research Assistant at the Centre for the Prevention of Obesity and Non-Communicable Diseases (C-POND), WHO Collaborating Centre (WHOCC) and the Fiji Institute of Pacific Health Research (FIPHR).
The Bachelor of Environment Health is a three-year Quota Based programme that is designed to train professionally registered environmental health (EH) practitioners.
These EH professionals work in the Health sector as well as across various sectors of Government and Industry such as UN agencies and embassies to support society towards mitigating and adapting to the risks and impacts of rapid and detrimental environmental changes on the health of people.
To explore the wide range of study opportunities on offer at CMNHS, and complete the entire enrolment process online, students are urged to visit the University website – https://www.fnu.ac.fj/college-of-medicine/ and submit their applications before 30th November 2021.
Year 13 students can submit their provisional application now whilst preparing for the external examinations next year.