The Minister for Education, Honourable Aseri Radrodro, met with His Excellency P.S. Karthigeyan, India’s High Commissioner to Fiji, yesterday.
It was an opportunity for both leaders to discuss ways to strengthen the long-standing relationship between the two nations in terms of education such as the provision of scholarships for Fijian students to pursue further studies in the best Universities in India.
His Excellency enlightened the Honourable Minister about a partnership fund that caters for the Parametric Insurance Project that was launched in August 2021.
“There are plans in place to scale up this insurance project to cater for 5000 households who fall under vulnerable categories such as farmers and social welfare recipients," His Excellency stated.
Students in Fiji have had access to 25 scholarships over the years to pursue any programme of their choice at prestigious universities in India. In the previous year, this was reduced to 20 due to the unfavorable utilisation rate.
His Excellency also assured the Minister that his office will go by the priority areas identified by the Ministry and they will be more than happy to assist in any way possible.
The renowned adage, "The destiny of a nation is determined in the four walls of a classroom," was also reiterated by him, and this alone illustrates the importance of education.
The Honourable Minister acknowledged His Excellency P.S. Karthigeyan's visit and assured him that the Ministry will continue to work with his team to help the education sector's growth and, most importantly, to uphold Fiji's long-standing relationship with India.
The courtesy visit was also attended by the Assistant Minister for Education, Honourable Iliesa Vanawalu and the Head of National Education Service Delivery, Mr Timoci Bure.