In a follow-up to a high-level stakeholder meeting held on Thursday (24/04), the Higher Education Commission Fiji (HECF) and the Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation (FCEF) met today to advance work on a proposed national task force aimed at addressing Fiji’s skills gap. 

The FCEF was represented by Chief Executive Officer Edward Bernard and Fiji Enterprise Engine (FEE) Programme Coordinator Palinda Kaitu’u. Meeting was hosted by the Chairperson of HECF, Mr Steve Chand.

 The initiative stems from a meeting convened by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Co-operatives, Small and Medium Enterprises, and Communications, Hon. Manoa Kamikamica, who called for urgent national coordination and data-driven reforms in education and the labour market. 

 A key outcome of the meeting was the agreement for FCEF to develop a concept paper for the establishment of a national task force.

 The task force will be co-led by HECF and the Fiji Human Resources Institute (FHRI), with technical support from the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). It will develop a forward-looking roadmap to address current and emerging skills needs.

In a special meeting today, the Chair of the Higher Education Commission Fiji ( HECF), Mr Steve Chand and senior members of its team met with Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) Chairman Mr. John Sanday to talk about a new programme—Life After Rugby. 

 The main focus of the discussion was the upcoming initiative, which is the first of its kind in Fiji. Life After Rugby aims to provide structured guidance, educational opportunities, and career development support for athletes transitioning from professional sports into life beyond the rugby field. 

 “This programme is about building a bridge between sporting success and long-term personal and professional fulfillment,” described Mr Chand. 

“We are excited to see it come to life, and we look forward to working closely with the Fiji Rugby Union to ensure its success.” 

 The initiative, led by HECF in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the FRU, will offer tailored resources including access to vocational training, higher education pathways, and career planning services—each designed with athletes’ unique experiences and aspirations in mind. 

 FRU Chairman Mr. John Sanday welcomed the initiative, calling it a long-overdue step in athlete welfare. 

“We are grateful to HECF for championing this concept. Until now, our focus has largely been on developing players during their careers, with limited attention to life after the final whistle,” he said.

His Excellency Rokuichiro Michii, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary and Permanent Representative of Japan, together with Mr. Isami Takada, Counsellor and Deputy Chief of Mission, hosted the Chairman of the Higher Education Commission Fiji (HECF), Mr. Steve Chand, for a luncheon today at the official residence of the Japanese Ambassador.

Mr. Chand was accompanied by senior HECF officers, Ms. Frentina Andrea and Mr. Epi Rawalai.

The luncheon served as a platform for productive dialogue, where both parties explored opportunities for collaboration in skills training and higher education. The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral ties and fostering long-term partnerships in capacity building and academic development.

This engagement marks a significant milestone for HECF, reflecting its commitment to working closely with the Japanese Embassy to promote shared goals in higher education and training.

In a signing ceremony held today, the Fiji National University (FNU) and the Higher Education Commission Fiji (HECF) officially formalized a $2 million government grant agreement dedicated to strengthening Fiji’s climate resilience through research and innovation. The event took place at FNU’s Nasinu Campus and was attended by members of the university’s senior management team alongside representatives from the HECF.

The grant will support a comprehensive, inclusive, and Fiji-led research and capacity-building initiative. It is designed to strengthen critical linkages between academia, policy, and industry by encouraging innovative research and fostering international collaboration. The program will focus specifically on the fields of business and economics, with a view to advancing climate change mitigation, adaptation, and disaster resilience strategies.

FNU Vice-Chancellor Professor Unaisi Baba welcomed the signing, describing the moment as long-awaited and deeply rewarding.

“We’ve been eagerly anticipating this grant, and the wait has absolutely been worth it,” said Professor Baba.

“At FNU, we chase after our outcomes, and this funding will be strategically aligned with our university’s initiative in dovetailing our strategic plan that will make a real difference in achieving impactful, resilient solutions.”

HECF Chair Mr. Steve Chand congratulated FNU on the partnership and expressed optimism for the future.

“We’re proud to support this initiative and look forward to more meaningful and productive collaborations in the future,” said Mr. Chand.

Easter 2025 brought more than just celebration for the staff of the Higher Education Commission Fiji (HECF)—it came with a milestone achievement in staff welfare.

For the first time in the Commission’s history, all staff are now insured under BSP Life, a move that marks a significant step forward in prioritizing employee well-being and security. The announcement was met with gratitude and enthusiasm from the HECF team, who acknowledged the leadership of HECF Chair, Mr. Steve Chand, for making staff welfare a key priority.

“We are incredibly thankful to Mr. Chand for his vision and for ensuring that the team is looked after,” said one staff member.

“This insurance coverage is not just a benefit—it’s peace of mind for us and our families.”

The new insurance scheme is seen as part of a broader commitment by the Commission to foster a supportive and secure working environment for its employees.

The Minister for Education, Hon. Aseri Radrodro, today officially announced the appointment of Dr. Eci Tekuru Naisele as the new Director of the Higher Education Commission Fiji (FHEC).

In making the announcement, Hon. Radrodro emphasized that this appointment goes beyond a routine administrative process, describing it as a strategic move to shape the future of higher education in Fiji.

“We are entrusting Dr. Naisele with the responsibility to lead FHEC towards a vision of excellence, inclusivity, and innovation—aligning our educational goals with national development priorities and global standards,” the Minister said.

Dr. Naisele brings over 30 years of experience in the education sector, with a distinguished career that spans from classroom teaching to senior leadership roles within the Ministry of Education and the FHEC. His deep familiarity with Fiji’s educational landscape uniquely positions him to guide the Commission through its next chapter of development.

A holder of a PhD from Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi in New Zealand, Dr. Naisele was awarded the prestigious Outstanding Indigenous Research Award in 2023. This recognition not only highlights his academic excellence but also his dedication to advancing indigenous knowledge and producing research of international relevance.

Hon. Radrodro also extended his sincere appreciation to Mr. Steve Chand, Chair of the FHEC, for his outstanding service as Acting Executive Director during the interim period.

“Mr. Chand provided steady leadership and played a key role in ensuring a smooth transition. His contributions were instrumental in preparing the groundwork for Dr. Naisele’s successful onboarding,” the Minister added.

Dr. Naisele will officially assume his new role on May 5, 2025, following the completion of his tenure as Registrar at the Pacific Theological College.

A stakeholder meeting was held today by the Higher Education Commission Fiji (HECF) to address the growing issue of an oversupply of caregiver graduates. Key participants included Hon. Aseri Radrodro, Minister for Education; Hon. Agni Deo Singh, Minister for Employment, Productivity, and Industrial Relations; Mr. Steve Chand, HECF Chair; as well as representatives from the Prime Minister’s Office, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Women, Children, and Social Protection, Pacific Australia Skills, the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade (DFAT) of Australia, and various higher education providers.

The HECF has temporarily suspended caregiver training programs in educational institutions due to concerns about the lack of employment opportunities for graduates in Fiji. Currently, students holding caregiving certificates face a difficult job market, as these qualifications are not internationally recognized, particularly in countries like New Zealand and Australia, where the demand for caregivers is higher.

An independent consultant conducted a survey to better understand the issue, and the final report was presented at the meeting, offering valuable insights. Higher education institutions were encouraged to review the findings and provide feedback.

Mr. Steve Chand explained that the HECF has been actively collaborating with bilateral partners to explore pathways for unemployed caregiver graduates and to find ways to redirect their skills into other in-demand sectors.

Mr. Chand suggested that all stakeholders align with the NDP/Vision 2050, considering the national skills gap. Minister Radrodro urged education providers to diversify their course offerings while the future of aged care training is under review. He emphasized the importance of exploring alternative programs that could equip students with marketable skills.

Hon. Agni Deo Singh expressed gratitude to the HECF for initiating the discussion and acknowledged the collective effort required from all stakeholders to address the challenges facing the caregiving sector in Fiji. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to working closely with all involved parties to find a sustainable solution.