The opening of the School of Hospitality, Tourism and Aviation at the Fiji National University campus in Nadi is a testament of perseverance over 21 years.
The Prime Minister, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama officially opened the school last Friday.
Chairman of School of Hospitality, Tourism and Aviation (SHTA) Committee, Mr Ikbal Jannif said the campus was a result of a concept for the establishment of a hotel and tourism school in Nadi.
Mr Jannif said the idea was put forward in 1989 and since then new dimensions have been added to it with each phase of the project incurring costs.
“Attempts to get funding for this project was a constant issue and when it failed in 2003 another proposal for funding was sent to Government,” Mr Jannif said.
“We were told that $8m was earmarked in the draft 2005 budget, which was later withdrawn when the announcement was made.
“It was shelved again while the FIT management made an alternative proposal for a $20m loan payable over 15 years. Nothing came of that.”
In 20o7 a new team took over to look into this project and continued with the task of completing the project.
Mr Jannif said that despite facing financial difficulties, he was grateful to government’s support towards the new team’s mission to accomplish the task.
The initial project in 1989 cost $12.5m but it has been completed with the state-of-art equipment at the total cost of $41m.
“By the time we finish and equip the remaining buildings it will be worth more than $47m,” Mr Jannif said.