Office of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Fiji

05/22/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/22/2024 00:22

PANEL DISCUSSION FOCUSES ON QUALITY OF TERTIARY EDUCATION IN FIJI (02 05 2024)

Heads of universities, regulatory and funding bodies and employer representatives congregated for the first time in Suva last night for discussions on the quality of tertiary education in Fiji.
Assistant Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Hon. Sakiusa Tubuna officiated at the Dialogue Fiji- organized event, highlighting that tertiary education plays a vital role in shaping the future of our nation by "equipping individuals with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in their chosen fields".
"The quality of tertiary education directly impacts our workforce, economy, and overall development as a nation."
Making reference to a news article, Hon.Tubuna said that the Coalition Government is deeply committed to investing in education, including tertiary education, as demonstrated by our significant financial support and various initiatives aimed at improving educational outcomes.
"TVET is an engine room for any economy and a lot of case studies show how the developed countries then used this mode of training to transform their economies," he added.
"The Denarau Declaration which is an outcome of the Education Summit is clear on the areas of improvements and attention that will be given to the Education sector as a whole by the Coalition Government.
"The National Development Plan is currently being developed which will be a document to guide the policy makers and academic planners, on the kinds of programmes that the economy will need, based on the development and growth sectors."
In highlighting concerns on quality education, Hon. Tubuna said that the Fiji Government recognizes the importance of addressing the issues faced by tertiary education institutions and is committed to working collaboratively with all stakeholders to find sustainable solutions.
"Collaboration is key to addressing the complex challenges facing our tertiary education sector," he said.
"We must work together-universities, regulatory bodies, funding agencies, employers, and government-to find innovative solutions."
The event also featured a panel discussion which provided a valuable platform for dialogue and collaboration to identify concrete actions to enhance the quality of tertiary education and ensure that our graduates are well-prepared to meet the demands of the 21st-century workforce.