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.
