A historic moment for the Fiji Higher Education Commission was celebrated today in the Northern town of Labasa when Prime Minister Hon Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka opened their new office, marking a significant milestone in bringing higher education services closer to the grassroots level.
The new office is an important step in ensuring that all Fijians have equal access to higher education regardless of their geographic location, an initiative aimed at enabling everyone to contribute to the global knowledge economy. It reflects the government's increasing recognition of the crucial role that quality education plays in promoting local empowerment and national progress.
Speaking at the opening ceremony Prime Minister Rabuka emphasised that the establishment of the HEC office is a critical move.
‘We are breaking down barriers to education particularly those related to distance and access,” stated the Prime Minister.
The newly established office was strategically designed to cater specifically to the needs of the Northern Division, an area that has historically struggled with issues surrounding educational infrastructure and access.
Prime Minister Rabuka stressed the critical importance of tackling these disparities, highlighting that the Coalition Government's unwavering commitment to providing quality education forms a fundamental pillar of its National Development Plan for the period 2025-2029, as well as its long-term vision for 2050.
“These forward-thinking initiatives are aimed at fostering the development of a more resilient and skilled workforce, empowering individuals to effectively navigate and address the challenges of the future.”
“Education is the key to unlocking the potential of every individual,” Prime Minister Rabuka said. “By investing in our people, particularly the youth of the Northern Division, we are paving the way for them to become innovative, lifelong learners and, ultimately, contributors to both local and national progress.”
In Fiji, there are about 45 higher education institutions registered under the Fiji Higher Education Commission.
There are nine located in Vanua Levu, with one office in Savusavu, one in Taveuni, and seven in the Labasa area. Noting this the Prime Minister Rabuka said that the new HEC office will streamline coordination between these institutions, facilitating growth in educational offerings and attracting new opportunities to the division.
“It is hoped that this development will create a robust education ecosystem system that benefit the entire Northern Division , boosting local economies and providing young people with the tool they need to succeed.”
“The establishment of this office is not just about having a physical presence. It is about breaking barriers, barriers of distance, barriers of access, and barriers of opportunities.”
Prime Minister Rabuka, in a key moment in his address, paid tribute to the late Dr Samuela Bogitini, a pioneering figure in the Northern Division’s educational landscape. Dr Bogitini whose work was instrumental in the establishment of the University of the South Pacific’s (USP) Labasa campus, is remembered for his passion for education and his dedication to fostering higher learning in the division.
Prime Minister Rabuka called Dr Bogitini an inspiration and urged the northern communities to continue his legacy by supporting educational initiatives and ensuring that young people have the resources to succeed.
The Prime Minister nonetheless also addressed a significant challenge – the migration of skilled professionals.
“A major challenge we currently face is the increasing exodus of our skilled professionals. It is a reality that impacts not only our workforce, but also the very fabric of our communities and society. This trend underscores the importance of making our education system resilient, adaptable, and forward-looking.”
“By nurturing talent here in the Northern Division, and ensuring that our young people see a future for themselves, not only within Fiji, but also within the region and further abroad, we can begin to address, even reverse, this trend of outward education and employment migration.”
The Prime Minister further urged the people of the Northern Division to embrace education as an essential tool for personal and collective empowerment.
“This office is more than just a building; it is a resource, a platform where aspirations can be realised.”
“Your Government is deeply committed to education as the foundation of Fiji’s prosperity, and I call on every individual, family and community to recognise and prioritise education as the key to unlocking your potential,” concluded the Prime Minister.