The Higher Education Promulgation 2008 will come into effect on the 1st of January 2010.
This new law requires all higher education institutions providing post-secondary education and training to be recognized and registered by the Higher Education Commission. Those institutions that are currently registered with the Ministry of Education must apply for recognition and registration with the Commission after January 1st 2010.
According to the new law, “higher education institutions” means an educational institution in Fiji that provides award-conferring post-secondary education including, but not restricted to, TVET centres, IT centres, technical institutes, secretarial schools, language schools, hair-dressing schools, hospitality training centres, care-giving training providers, performing arts and sports academies, religious educational institutions, colleges and universities. Any other institution that is not specifically listed here but is providing post-secondary education and training, and is conferring an award [certificate, diploma or advanced diploma] must apply to the Commission for recognition and registration.
The new law will grant all existing higher education institutions “provisional registration” for one year that is, from 1st January 2010 to 1st January 2011. Within the year, institutions will be required to apply for recognition and for registration with the Commission.
Anyone wishing to establish a higher education institution after January 1st 2010, shall apply to the Commission for approval.
It is unlawful for any higher education institution to operate in Fiji after 01/01/2011 without proper recognition and registration with the Commission
The Commission’s website will have the necessary application forms for recognition and registration early in 2010. Applications for both recognition and registration may be done either online or by using the forms downloaded from our website. Forms are also available at our office.
Any queries regarding either recognition or registration should be directed to:
The Chief Project Officer
Secretariat of the Higher Education Commission
Ministry of Education
Marela House
Suva.
The Secretariat’s telephone contact is 3100031.
The Secretariat looks forward to a mutually beneficial association with all stakeholders and hopes that we will all work together to enhance the quality of its services for the development of higher education in Fiji.
Minister for Education, National Heritage, Culture and Arts, Youth and Sports, Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment. Mr Filipe Bole