Funding
The allocation of annual operating Government grants for Higher Education Institutions is administered and monitored by the Institutional Funding section of the HEC Secretariat.
Under the provisions of the Higher Education Act of 2008, higher education institutions (HEIs) that are officially registered may qualify to receive a government grant. The allocation of this grant for eligible HEIs is determined through the application of the Funding Model (referred to as “the Model”). The primary objective of the Model is to promote equitable outcomes across the sector, ultimately leading to enhanced employment opportunities for graduates of higher education institutions.
At the national level, the government’s financial support for higher education through this grant is viewed as a strategic investment aimed at addressing Fiji’s future economic demands. This investment contributes to the development of the nation’s human capital and facilitates the upskilling of its population. On an institutional level, the grant serves as a means of bolstering HEIs’ initiatives to enhance the delivery of academic programmes, improve student achievement, and maintain or elevate overall institutional quality.
For 2024-2025, the Government has invested $88,698,645.87 in operating grant in HEIs which will be managed by the HEC. This is distributed as follows:
| Higher Education Institution | 2024-2025 Budget Allocation ($) |
|---|---|
| University of the South Pacific (USP) | $ 33,530,000.00 |
| University of the South Pacific (Outstanding Grant) | $ 5,000,000.00 |
| Fiji National University (FNU) | $ 36,456,428.93 |
| Fiji National University Grant – Monash University | $ 2,000,000.00 |
| University of Fiji (UniFiji) | $ 4,000,000.00 |
| Pacific Polytechnic Limited (PPL) | $ 5,000,000.00 |
| Fulton Adventist University College (FAUC) | $ 163,060.00 |
| Sangam Institute of Technology (SIT) | $ 545,939.51 |
| Corpus Christi Teachers College (CCTC) | $ 140,800.00 |
| Vivekananda Technical Centre (VTC) | $ 248,325.00 |
| Montfort Boys Town (MBT) | $ 889,217.43 |
| Montfort Technical Training Institute (MTTI) | $ 524,875.00 |
| Caregivers Training Institute (CTI) | $ 100,000.00 |
| Servicepro International Tourism Hospitality Institute (SITHI) | $ 100,000.00 |
| Total Operational Grant | $ 88,698,645.87 |
| Capital Grant | |
| University of Fiji – Centre for I-Taukei Studies – Capital Project | $ 1,000,000.00 |
| Sangam College of Nursing – Capital Project | $ 1,000,000.00 |
| Total Grant (Operational & Capital) as per Budget Allocation – $90,698,645.87 |
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The Higher Education Commission (HEC) takes an active role in overseeing the utilisation of government grants allocated to higher education institutions (HEIs) to ensure the responsible and transparent use of public funds. To facilitate this oversight, the HEC employs the Grant Management System, a specialized tool designed to track, monitor, and report on both financial expenditures and programme-related outputs. This system enables comprehensive accountability and ensures that the allocated funds are used effectively in alignment with their intended purposes.
Government grants provided to HEIs are primarily operational in nature. These grants are utilized in various key areas, including teaching and learning, research initiatives, improving institutional performance, and promoting equity within the education system. Additionally, grants may be allocated as base funding to support the general operations of HEIs.
It is important to note that any funding designated for capital expenditure is managed separately under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Economy. This distinction ensures a clear division of responsibilities and promotes efficient management of resources for infrastructure and long-term investments in the higher education sector.