The Minister for Education National Heritage Culture and Arts Filipe Bole officiated at the groundbreaking ceremony at Fiji National University Naiyaca Campus in Labasa yesterday.
“This ground breaking is a testament of government’s firm commitment towards the goal of making Education affordable and accessible to its people,” said Ambassador Bole in his opening remarks.
“The government has allocated a capital grant of $4.5 million for the construction of Naiyaca and Navua Campus,” added Ambassador Bole.
“This is good news for the people of Vanua Levu as they will not have to be financially burdened to travel to mainland to pursue tertiary education,” said Turaga Tui Macuata Ratu Williame Katonivere.
“This will be a state of the art campus for Fiji as it is entirely built with its own design with accommodation facilities, lecture theaters, sporting facilities and a gymnasium” said Dr. Chand the vice chancellor of FNU.
“Naiyaca Campus will be declared green campus as energy will be generated from renewable energy sources. FNU is committed to environmentally friendly and sustainable development projects, added Dr. Ganesh Chand.
“Parents should ensure their children go beyond secondary education as the government has introduced Tertiary Education Loan Scheme at low interest rates payable once students have received employment,” concluded Ambassador Bole.
The Naiyaca Campus will offer a range of programmes in Business, Commerce, Basic Hospitality Courses, Teacher Training Programmes, Sports Science, Engineering Studies at a lower level and even Basic Maritime Studies.
The fully fledged Naiyaca Campus is expected to be completed by 2018; however classes will begin come 2014.
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