Minister Lauds FNU Staff

Minister Lauds FNU Staff
F
iji National University hosted the
Minister for Education, Dr Mahendra
Reddy to a morning tea last week to
celebrate the festive season.
Dr Reddy commended FNU for the
tremendous work carried out for the Academic
year 2015 and encouraged everyone to
continue with the same attitude into the New
Year.
“2015 has been a very difficult year
for Academic and I must commend and
congratulate everyone for their efforts put in
the education sector.
“This is the time to spend some quality time
with your family members. The break will also
give you a chance to get refreshed for another
challenging year ahead of us,” said Dr Reddy.
Also celebrated at the tea, was the birthday
for Dean of the College of Humanities &
Education - Dr Eci Nabalarua.
Minister Lauds FNU Staff - Pg 1
Beqa Graduation a success for
TVET - Pg 1
Fiji-Born New Zealander launced
Kaiviti - Pg 2
American Resource Centre tells student
of Scholarship - Pg 2
2016 Enrolment Drive - Pg 3
AquaSafe supports enrolment campaign
Pg - 4
F
iji National University’s Technical & Vocational Education Training (TVET) hopes
to send out more trainers to the maritime
areas for training and upskilling in 2016.
Earlier in December saw success with the
Department of TVET after a group of villagers in
Beqa Islands graduated from the programme.
The programme with $1.8 million government
fund aims at upskilling and training villagers with
skills and knowledge in specific areas or work they
are good at to help them generate income.
Acting Director TVET, Dr. Isimeli Tagicakiverata
is optimistic the University will be able to send out
more trainers to other islands for the same purpose.
Dr Tagicakiverata says more than four hundred
people have already graduated with Certificates.
“We are providing between thirteen to twenty
different skills training, from screen painting to
sewing, fiber glass repairs to small engine repairs
Plumbing plumbing and carpentry, cookery and
all other sorts of skills training that we provide
depending on the needs in different rural
communities. There is no limit anybody from the
seventy years of age to seventeen can attend this
training,” said Dr Tagicakiverata.
Participants from Beqa says this sort of outreach
mean a lot to people who have little access to the
mainland.
The Fiji National University Newsletter tracks media coverage of FNU events on a weekly basis.
The following news can be found on the website which shows how FNU was featured in the media in the past week.
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PAGE 4
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Up skilling Fijians for income generation
Pioneer fifteen formally accredited
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Boost in hair beauty skills
Ian Rouse’s contract to end this
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Thursday
Prof Rouse formally leaves FNU on
Thursday
Professor Rouse leaving FNU
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Professor Ian Rouse departs FNU
Choosing fashion over food
Bollywood artists to work in local film
productions
Fiji-born New Zealander launched Kaiviti
W
riting a novel is never easy but the
challenge did not prevent the Fijiborn from starting it anyway.
Blair Robertson, a New Zealand citizen,
launched his first book titled Kaiviti at the
School of Creative Arts, UniStudio Campus,
Raiwai last month.
Kaiviti – a 413 pages novel consists of
Fiji’s rich history from 1800s to 1980s.
Starting the novel was Blair’s biggest
challenge but due his Determination, it was
only a matter of time before he tried his hand
at it.
T
he Fiji National University library
conducted information sessions
in collaboration with American
Resource Center at the Natabua Campus,
Lautoka.
The session covered the areas such
as the role of the United States public diplomacy in Fiji and the Pacific region, and
education in the U.S.
Deputy University Librarian & Adjunct
Assistant Professor, Dr. Tanveer Haider
Naqvi, invited U.S. Embassy and current
Regional Public Diplomacy Officer at the
U.S. Embassy in Fiji, Mr Dmitri Tarakhovsky to the interactive discussion to
“I always wanted to write a novel but it
seemed really hard to start. I thought that if
I could find the right idea, everything would
flow from that and that if I thought about it hard
enough the right idea would come.
“Finally, I just started writing. It was just a
book about nothing in particular. I think that
got my mind focused on writing because then
I realised what I think I’ve always known, that
I was going to write a story about Fiji and it’s
the hardest and most satisfying and also the
riskiest thing I’ve ever done,” said Mr Blair.
He added that the key for him was to start
speak on the topic.
Mr Tarakhovsky is in-charge of all media, educational and cultural affairs involving and conducted by the Embassy
in Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Tonga, and Tuvalu. He also oversees public diplomacy programmes in the Marshall Islands, the Federated State of Micronesia and Palau.
Mr Tarakhovsky highlighted broader
understanding of the United States and
its relationship with Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru,
Tonga and Tuvalu.
He also informed students about
scholarships in education in the U.S. and
environmental problems such as Climate
rather than wait for the idea.
“You have to handle criticism and you
have to deal with rejection, and you have to
find a way to fund it as well because writing a
novel doesn’t provide an income initially. But
if you love it you’ll find a way to do it. I can’t
talk about anything further down the track then
that because this is my first novel, although
I’ve rewritten it more than 10 times.
“But if you love reading and writing you
simply must try. As I said earlier, just start
writing. Don’t wait for the idea. The ideas will
come.”
Change Adaptation, Biodiversity Protection, and Oceanic Fisheries Management,
which have been the focal areas of concern.
Mr Tarakhovsky mentioned that the
Pacific Regional Environmental Office of
U.S. Embassy worked with governments,
organisations, and NGOs to strengthen
and expand U.S. engagement with Pacific
island countries to respond to the major
environmental challenges.
He said apart from the environment,
the regional environmental offices also
support U.S. activities in science, technology and health in the region.
Korovou Town
21 December 2015
S
tudents, parents, guardians and
the members of the public alike
flock in in numbers to get the first
hand information from academic and marketing officers during the Fiji National University counseling awareness drive at the
Tailevu main town.
With majority pursuing technical
programmes, the University staff was at
hand to counsel and offer the best expert
advice to assist everyone in the education
path they wish to go.
Korovou
District
Officer,
Iakobo
Waqanidrola said this is an excellent
initiative as it allows the nearby residence
to access the information they need without
the need to travel too far.
“We are thankful of FNU’s initiative to
visit rural town and provide information
to general public in regards to entry into
tertiary institution,” said Mr Waqanidrola.
Mr Waqanidrola has expressed interest
in the possibility for a team from FNU to
travel with them during their village visits
to ensure everyone had the opportunity
to explore what they can pursue at the
University.
Marketing Officer, Mr Satya Shandil said
the campaign was very successful.
“The team was well prepared and we got
everything a curious student or parent would
need to help them decide on the programme
to study. We ensure we answered all
questions put forward and that they leave
satisfied with the information given to them.
“Concerns were raised regarding
students transition into University especially
for those undertaking franchise programmes
in high school and were advised we have
continuing programmes for the same,” said
Mr Shandil.
The University team was stationed at the
town for more than six hours catering to the
needs of the people from Natovi, Sawakasa,
Berurua, Lodoni Koro, Waidalice, Lokuya,
students from Ratu Kadavulevu School and
many more.
E
nsuring everyone has an equal
opportunity to the right information
regarding programmes available
with Fiji National University, a team also
visited the Nausori Town for an informal
counseling session with potential students
and curious interested individuals.
With college representatives present on
site, queries were attended to and flyers
disseminated containing the additional
information and details one will need
when applying for a place in Fiji National
University.
A good number of working people also
turned up at the booth seeking advice for
further part time studies.
People travelled from villages as far
as Verata, Naimasimasi, Logani, Dravuni,
Waikete and even Wainibokasi to name a
few.
Navua Town
23 December 2015
T
he people of Navua and its
surrounding areas are hopeful that
a team from Fiji National University
will be visiting again as part of its counseling
awareness programmes for the new
academic year of 2016.
This was expressed after FNU was
based at the Navua town for a day to market
and offer counseling sessions to anyone
wishing to join the University.
Travelling from places including Beqa,
Serua and Galoa, the members of the public
are hopingthat there will be more campaigns
as such so they are given the information
and advice they need.
The Fiji National University’s enrolment
drive will continue from Wednesday, 6th
January 2016 at the Ivi Triangle in Suva.
Vodafone and inkk users: 5961 l 5962
Digicel users: 7771032 l 7771033
Call on (679) 343 2000 or
APPLY ONLINE
www.fnu.ac.fj/apply
S
tudents are making their way to the
nearest Fiji National University western
centres to take advantage of the enrolment drive.
Academic offices at the Ba, Lautoka and Nadi
Campuses have been a hive of activities with
Year 13 students coming through to apply for the
various progammes on offer at the University.
The Academic teams at the respective
campuses said the response from students out
in those districts were very positive.
Since the start of enrollment all the western
campuses have been bustling with students,
parents and members of the public alike
enquiring about the various programmes on
offer and so forth.
Lecturers from the various colleges, schools
and departments have also been carrying out
counseling sessions with new students.
Information tables have also been set up
at Ministry of Education Offices in the western
division.
Students at the Lautoka campus are also
looking forward to the commencement of the
new academic year.
Applications have been received and the
Academic office has been processing them.
Students are also enquiring about the
scholarships on offer from FNU.
The western marketing team moves out
to the districts with their awareness drive on
January 5th in Rakiraki town, then on to Tavua,
Ba, Nadi and Sigatoka.
For job vacancies and career opportunities at Fiji National University, go to www.career.fnu.ac.fj New posts are logged each week for academic and
non-academic vacancies, so check regularly for the opportunity that could lead you to a new life. Some of the positions currently available online:
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•
Lecturer I in Clinical Dentistry
Dental PBL Tutor
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Clinical Educator
Part-Time Practicum Assessors
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Part-Time Trainers
Administrative Officer
The FNU newsletter is prepared by University Communications. Send your articles to [email protected]