For the first time, representatives from Provincial Councils, including Rabi and Kioa, convened under a single roof to address critical national education issues alongside the Ministry of Education Fiji and Higher Education Commission – Fiji. This collaboration became a reality during a consultation held on Friday, November 3, 2023, at the Southern Cross Hotel in Suva.

The main focus was on addressing the need for training programs to retain skilled professionals in provincial areas. The provincial councils were pleased to learn about recent education reforms and shared their training needs, fostering a positive discussion for educational progress.

The consultation was officially opened by the Minister for Ministry of Education FIJI, Hon Aseri Radrodro and closed by the Assistant Minister, Hon Iliesa Vanawalu.

Higher Education Commission – Fiji Chair, Mr. Steve Chand, was happy to see his initiative yielding positive results. He expressed his satisfaction with the collaborative efforts made by the Provincial Councils, emphasizing the importance of such joint endeavors.

The External Review Committee for Fiji Universities, was officially, announced by the Minister for Ministry of Education FIJI, Hon Aseri Radrodro.

In introducing the esteemed members of the External Review Committee, the Minister described them as individuals who possess a wealth of experience and knowledge and who have demonstrated a strong commitment to upholding the highest academic standards. These individuals have been carefully selected to serve as pillars of expertise and impartiality in this critical endeavor.

The External Review Committee includes Chair and Monash University academic Professor Simon Wilkie, Professor Paresh Narayan also of Monash University, Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission CEO Joel Abraham, Consumer Council of Fiji CEO Seema Shandil, Strategy Operation and Culture Fiji Director Dr Emily Yalimaiwai and Pacific Climate Change envoy Rex Haroi.

The committee’s primary objectives will be to assess the overall quality of education and research at our universities, evaluate the effectiveness of governance and administration, review academic and support services, and make recommendations to enhance the overall quality of our institutions.

“To the students who have attended this event, I encourage you to reflect on the knowledge and insights you have gained over these four days.”

Those words were quoted from the address of the Chair of the Higher Education Commission – Fiji, Mr Steve Chand as he officially closed the Higher Education Careers Expo 2023.

Mr Chand said that it had been inspiring and heartening to witness the enthusiasm and sheer numbers of students participating in this remarkable event.

” The Career Expo bridges students and institutions where dreams and aspirations can find a direction and purpose, ” Mr Chand described.

More than 4500 students attended this expo.

More than 2000 students attended day 3 of the Careers Expo at Vodafone Arena.

The Higher Education Career Expo has adopted an early intervention approach by extending invitations to primary school students. We firmly believe that initiating career guidance at the primary level is essential.

Primary school students come as far as Wainibuka.

We were thrilled to have these enthusiastic attendees join us at the Higher Education Career Expo 2023 all the way from Lautoka to Suva!

These young gents even brought along a wise elder as their supervisor, showing their commitment to making the most of this incredible opportunity.

While we understand the expo will be coming to the Western Division next year, their choice to attend the event at the prestigious VODAFONE ARENA in Suva speaks volumes about the quality and experience we aim to provide.

The Higher Education Career Expo 2023 was officially opened by the Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Education FIJI, Ms Selina Kuruleca yesterday, Monday 16 October 2023 under the theme “Empowering Your Higher Education Journey to Employment and Entrepreneurship.”

Ms Kuruleca encouraged the students to seize the opportunity to interact, ask questions, and gather as much information as they could to make informed decisions about their future.

“ Embrace diversity, curiosity, and the pursuit of knowledge. Be open to new ideas and unafraid of change,” advised Ms Kuruluca.

The expo would be held for four days.

Five institutions have agreed to stop offering short courses and register to deliver the National Certificate in Aged Care and Community ( Level 3).

The institutions include Lumiere Health Services, Caregiving School of Excellence, Service Pro International Tourism and Hospitality, Caregivers Services Professional Institute, and Prestige Caregiving Fiji met with the Fiji Higher Education Commission (FHEC) to arrive at this consensus.

The meeting was chaired by the FHEC Chair, Mr Steve Chand whose initiative brought the institutions together. It was the first time for these institutions to come together on a collaborative platform.

The vast demand for caregivers through the Pacific Australia Labour Market (PALM) scheme and opportunities offered by other countries call for qualified caregivers, and short courses won’t equip our local people for this demand.

FHEC Director, Dr Rohit Kishore reminded the institutions that the FHEC is mandated to protect the interest of learners and seek the cooperation of the institutions in this regard.

The discussions centred on the nature of the course, the sensitivity of the work, the intensity of the competencies required and the ethical and safety

The institutions in this meeting agreed unanimously to stop offering short courses and look forward to upgrading their programmes into full qualifications, especially in offering the national certificate.

The institutions are also looking at forming a Professional Body to look into the Caregiving courses provided in Fiji. The FHEC Chair explained that the meeting was a successful one noting its positive outcomes.

The Fiji Higher Education Commission (FHEC) proposes introducing competency-based Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) lessons in secondary schools as a long-term intervention to address the exodus of skilled professionals in Fiji.

Conducting consultations in the Northern Division this week, an FHEC consultation team led by Chair Mr Steve Chand visited secondary schools and higher educational institutions to discuss the idea and participate in the feedback.

Mr Chand believes providing these options in secondary schools will give students the skills to enter highly skilled trade and service professions. “The idea is to produce more skilled people to cater to local and overseas markets. We can’t stop migration, and this is the best solution to address the issue of the exodus of skilled professionals,” Mr Chand described.

FHEC Director, Dr Rohit Kishore explained that the proposed competency-based lessons will allow students to exit secondary school with Certificate Level 1 and 2 qualifications, immediately rendering them employable.

“The enticing element of the package is the hundred percent coursework and serve those students who are often disheartened by academic examinations,” Dr Kishore continued.

Dr Kishore further said that parents need to change their mindset and recognize the value of TVET lessons, and the benefits attached as per the demand in the labour market today.

Teachers in the Northern Division who participated in the consultation support the proposal by the FHEC, hoping that it’s implemented early with a sound review of the current curriculum.