The launch of Fiji’s Qualification Framework today marks a milestone achievement in ensuring that Fiji’s educational qualifications are recognised at both the regional and international level.
The framework was launched today by the Minister for Education, Mr Filipe Bole who termed today’s event as a significant step towards enabling regional and international recognition of qualifications awarded locally.
“The framework will align with the requirements of the Pacific Register of Qualifications and Standards while recognising the Regional Convention on the Recognition of Studies, Diplomas and Degrees in higher education in Asia and the Pacific”, Minister Bole said.
“The Government recognises that the framework can be the catalyst for expanding national and international employment opportunities, for increasing family incomes and for improving the quality of life for all Fijians,” Mr Bole added.
Mr Bole said that the issue in 2008 of the Fiji Higher Education Promulgation Gazette and its commencement in January, 2010 has enabled important development and regulatory activities in the higher education sector in the past two years.
“These activities acknowledge global, regional and regional imperatives in higher education, which are geared towards economic development, and the well-being of all citizens” Mr Bole said.
“They include Government’s response to a number of priority actions which were adopted by the World Conference on Higher Education in October, 1998. Government will continue to be guided by these priority actions, at the national and education provider levels,” he added.
The Minister also acknowledged efforts by universities and other higher education institutions’ to respond to these priorities.
“This is shown in the growth in student numbers, in the range of programs and courses offered, the adoption of lifelong learning approaches, increasing emphasis on the quality of teaching and learning, growth in the use of ICT, increasing emphasis on research, and in international relations,” Mr Bole said.
He highlighted that the placement of the first national standards and qualifications on the Fiji Qualifications Framework is an important milestone on a pathway to building an education and training environment that will play a key role in developing the future prosperity for Fiji.
The FQF is administered by the Fiji Higher Education Commission through its Fiji Qualifications Council (FQC), a subcommittee of the Commission.
Invited guests at the launch of Fiji Qualification Framework