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.
