The Higher Education Commission Fiji (HECF) has extended its sincere appreciation to the Australian Government for its continued support of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Fiji, through the Pacific Australia Skills Programme.

This support was prominently highlighted during the official opening of Fiji’s first-ever TVET Skills Fair and Careers Exposition, held at the National Gymnasium in Suva. The two-day event, a collaborative initiative between the Ministry of Education and HECF, represents a milestone in promoting skills-based education and redefining the role of TVET in Fiji’s development journey.

Minister for Education, Hon. Aseri Radrodro, officially opened the event, emphasizing that TVET is now a first-choice pathway for employment, innovation, and nation-building.

“TVET is not just an alternative — it is a primary driver of sustainable development,” the Minister said. “We are committed to strengthening school-to-work pathways and ensuring our youth are equipped with relevant, in-demand skills.”

Australian High Commissioner to Fiji, His Excellency Peter Roberts, reaffirmed Australia’s commitment to working alongside Fiji to ensure that vocational education continues to grow in quality, relevance, and accessibility.

The Pacific Australia Skills Programme succeeds the Australian Pacific Training Coalition (APTC), which saw over 7,000 Fijians earn formal qualifications and 5,784 individuals complete short-course upskilling programs. The new programme will continue this legacy by aligning skills development with the evolving needs of Fiji’s economy and regional labour markets.

Held under the theme “Showcasing Fijian Skills for a Sustainable Future – Our Strength, Our Achievement,” the Skills Fair provided students from Years 9 to 13 and vocational streams a platform to demonstrate their talents across industries including construction, hospitality, agriculture, and creative arts.

HECF Director, Dr Eci Naisele commended the Australian Government’s long-standing partnership and investment in Fiji’s vocational education sector.

“We are deeply grateful for Australia’s enduring commitment to the growth of TVET in Fiji.”

As HECF continues to lead the advancement of higher education and skills development in Fiji, it acknowledges the vital role of international partnerships in building a future-ready, skilled workforce.

The Higher Education Commission of Fiji (HECF) confirms that nine higher education institutions have  signed grant agreements as part of the $86.5 million allocation provided by the Coalition Government for the 2025–2026 financial year.

The funding supports operational needs of registered institutions, with a focus on improving teaching and learning, research, and institutional capacity building. A total of 13 institutions have been approved for funding, with the remaining agreements to be finalised in the coming weeks.

The institutions that have signed grant agreements to date include:

• University of Fiji
• Pasifika Communities University*
• Fulton Adventist University College
• Monfort Boys Town
• Monfort Technical Institute
• Sangam Institute of Technology
• Vivekananda Technical Centre
• Pacific Technical Institute*
• Davuilevu Theological College*

(*First-time grant recipients)

During the official signing ceremony held in Suva, HECF Chairperson Mr. Steve Chand reaffirmed the Commission’s strong commitment to ensuring that all publicly funded programmes lead to meaningful employment outcomes.

“We have seen a situation where thousands of graduates remain unemployed because institutions were offering qualifications that held no real value in the job market,” he said. “This must change.”

“ In the spirit of transparency and accountability, I want to emphasize the vital role each of us plays in ensuring that this investment is used wisely and fulfills its intended purpose,” Mr Chand stressed.

“Let us not forget that the government’s investment in our endeavors is an expression of their trust in our ability to generate a positive return on investment.  We owe it to the taxpayers and to ourselves to demonstrate that this trust is well-placed.”

Mr Chand noted that institutions must align their programmes with national priorities, particularly in addressing critical skills gaps identified in the National Development Plan Vision 2050.

“This funding must directly contribute to building a skilled workforce that drives Fiji’s economic and social development,” explained the HECF Chair.

The Fiji Higher Education Commission (FHEC) successfully concluded its final Policy Writing and Review Workshop for the year in Labasa, marking the end of a national series of capacity-building initiatives aimed at strengthening the higher education sector.

Held over three days at the Galaxy Hotel from 16–18 September, the workshop brought together 32 participants from across the Northern Division. Attendees included representatives from higher education institutions (HEIs) and three officers from FHEC.

Delivered in collaboration with the Pacific Community (SPC) through the Educational Quality and Assessment Programme (EQAP), the workshop formed part of an ongoing initiative to build institutional capacity in policy development, governance, and quality assurance.

Throughout the workshop, participants were guided through the complete policy development cycle — from conducting needs analysis and drafting policy, to implementation, monitoring, and review. The sessions placed strong emphasis on stakeholder engagement, budgeting, risk management, and the use of monitoring and evaluation (M&E) frameworks to ensure that institutional policies are both practical and sustainable.

Participants also received hands-on training in the creation of implementation booklets, M&E templates, and risk registers — essential tools for effective policy application within HEIs.

The event concluded on Thursday afternoon with an official closing ceremony. In his closing remarks, FHEC Chairperson Mr. Steve Chand reflected on the significance of the milestone:

“This workshop marks the successful conclusion of our planned national series in partnership with SPC, and it is a significant milestone for the Higher Education Commission. Strengthening institutional capacity in this critical domain is not only timely but essential for ensuring the continued relevance and quality of our academic offerings.”

Participants expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to take part, noting that the knowledge and skills gained would be instrumental in enhancing policy development processes within their respective organisations.

FHEC acknowledges the continued support of SPC in delivering these workshops, and extends its gratitude to all institutions and stakeholders who have taken part throughout the year.

The Higher Education Commission Fiji (HECF) and the South Pacific Association of Theological Schools (SPATS) today renewed their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in a special signing ceremony, reaffirming a strong partnership in advancing higher education in the region.

HECF Chair, Mr. Steve Chand, commended SPATS for its growth into a respected accrediting agency since its establishment, noting its outstanding contribution to the advancement of quality education in the Pacific.

“Together, we are committed to safeguarding the best interests of students, parents, and churches, while also addressing any challenges of compliance or performance with fairness and integrity,” said Mr. Chand.

Under the MoU, SPATS will take the lead in accrediting theological programmes (Levels 1–10) from Higher Education Institutions registered with HECF. These programmes will undergo quality assurance and final endorsement by HECF before being registered on the Fiji National Qualifications Framework (FNQF), in alignment with the Pacific Qualifications Framework (PQF).

SPATS General Secretary, Rev. Rusiate Tuidrakulu, described the moment as deeply significant:

“For SPATS, this is not just the signing of a piece of paper; it is more than an agreement—it is a covenant. In the Pacific way, a covenant means we are sharing space, and it reflects trust, relationship, and love.”

Rev. Tuidrakulu also thanked the HECF leadership team and Secretariat for their support in bringing this partnership to fruition.