The Ministry of i-Taukei Affairs permanent secretary Mr. Savenaca Kaunisela, recently visited Fijian student enrolled at the University of the South Pacific’s Emalus and Alafua campus in Vanuatu and Samoa.
The USP’s Emalus campus offers legal courses while the Alafua camapus offers specialised agricultural courses.
A total of 36 i-Taukei students sponsored by the Ministry of i-Taukei Affairs are studying at these campuses.
The Emalus Campus in Vanuatu currently has 12 i-Taukei sponsored students whilst the Samoa Alafua Campus has a total of 24 i-Taukei students.
Mr. Kaunisela said that his trip was to assess the students’ general welfare which included participating in consultations where students liberally raised grievances and issues regarding their studies and general well being.
“The trip allowed me to analyse student’s academic progress and I was taken on tours to inspect the academic and accommodation facilities at the two regional centres,” Mr Kaunisela said.
He expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the two heads at the respective centres for their assistance in allowing him to have access to these students’ academic records, and for spending time to discuss their academic progress with him.
“I strongly believe that education is a key component towards i-Taukei empowerment and enlightenment, which can contribute effectively to nation building and economic progress,” Mr Kaunisela said.
Mr. Kaunisela was accompanied by the Manager of the i-Taukei Affairs Scholarship Unit, Mr. Tomasi Volau.
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