FNU’s College of Humanities and Education Matereti Sukanaivalu (left) discusses the support services at FNU with Alumeci Waqamailau and her mum Miliana Waqamailau Utovou during the session.
Nineteen-year-old Alumeci Waqamailau is eager to begin her undergraduate studies in the Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting and Information Systems programmes at the Fiji National University (FNU) to pursue her academic ambitions.
Waqamailau was one of many students who attended an FNU information session in Suva organised by the Kadavu Education Committee to raise awareness of the tertiary opportunities available to students.
A team from FNU presented to the students and parents who merged at the Fijian Teachers Association Hall in Suva to help students make informed decisions regarding further studies.
“I am thankful to the FNU team for the presentation and for answering our queries during the session. It has helped me know more about the university and prepared me for my Semester 1 studies,” Waqamailau stated.
“I am looking forward to an exciting year ahead with FNU. I came with my mum for the session, and we benefitted a lot from the information provided by the team representing the universities.”
Waqamailau’s mother, Miliana Waqamailau Utovou, who is a teacher, said FNU offered various programmes that would help the young students achieve their dream career.
“I have learnt that FNU offers higher education and TVET programs for students to consider and build careers in,” she explained.
“I am happy with the way the team from FNU interacted and shared information with us.”
As part of the Fiji National University’s Strategic Plan 2021–2026, FNU is committed to producing workforce-ready graduates under its Pillar One on Education for Employability.
FNU also strives to enhance student experience by providing better learning facilities and raising awareness about the programmes available at FNU, with the goal of ensuring students receive quality education.
The FNU team discussed the Higher Education and TVET programmes that were available to the students, as well as the facilities and accommodations provided by the university to the students who were coming to study at FNU from the outer islands.
The College of Business, Hospitality, and Tourism Studies’ (CBHTS) Associate Dean TVET, Eric Jioje, who was one of the presenters, said the session provided a platform for students to learn about the courses and programmes offered at FNU.
“It was a fruitful discussion with the young students who would be responsible for taking Fiji forward and helping the economy grow in the future. As the national University, we want to give our students the best and help them make the right choices in their academic career,” he said.
“Students were keen to take up courses and programmes of their choosing, which showed us that we have capable people to help the country prosper and grow. We have seen the dreams in the eyes of the students, or through their expressions about their plans for the future. This is what we need. We have passion from the students, and FNU is ready to help them in whatever way to achieve their goals and help them secure a stable career.”
Kadavu Education Committee (KEC) Chairman Marika Uluinaceva acknowledged the Fiji National University for being part of the session.
“KEC and FNU are proactively supporting quality education in Fiji by helping former Year 12 and 13 students decide a study pathway that leads to their career goals,” he said.
“FNU’s presentation will definitely help the students present to make the right decisions in terms of choosing which programme to study.
“This is the first time we have arranged for students and parents who have links to Kadavu to attend this important session.”
FNU was also represented by the College of Engineering, Science, and Technology’s (CEST) Atunaisa Lawenilovo, Seileima Rakaucoka from the College of Agriculture, College of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, while Matereti Sukanaivalu presented on behalf of the College of Humanities and Education (CHE).