More than 550 students, who are recipients of the iTaukei scholarship, went through a scholarship orientation programme with the Ministry of i-Taukei Affairs this weekend.
Speaking to the 569 scholarship recipients at the Suva Civic Auditorium, the Ministry's permanent secretary Mr Savenaca Kaunisela said the orientation programme, which started three years ago, is designed to prepare students for a good academic life and performance at higher education institutions.
Mr Kaunisela urged the students to work hard at USP and make the best use of the opportunity provided by the Government as scholarship assistance does not come easy.
He added that with a scholarship allocation of around $10million, government can now cater for new incoming students and the ongoing students at various local and overseas universities.
"In the previous years, we used to get a smaller number but this year we have a much higher number. I think in terms of the students’ achievements in secondary schools, prior to their selection, i-Taukei students have improved a lot from their examination results. And there is quite a lot of competition from the students,” Mr Kaunisela said.
The permanent secretary highlighted that they also look at the labour market needs of Fiji before awarding scholarships for various programs at the universities.
“We tried our best to offer it all across but then we are guided by the national planning standards and the requirements of the nation in general. We tried to spread to most of the programs that are taught at the University of the South Pacific,” Mr Kaunisela added.
The ministry is also planning to create more awareness about its scholarship programs to enhance the services provided by the Scholarship Unit.
“In the last two years, we have improved a lot as far as awareness programs are concerned. This year too, we’ll have to do a lot of awareness programs in schools and also with the parents".
To the secondary school students hoping to be awarded i-Taukei Scholarships in the near future, he stressed the importance of commitment to studies and to aim higher.
“I urge them to study hard from Form 6 and get good marks and also before they apply, they must be focused. They should know which courses they want to take up and be focused. The bottom line here is to get good marks in Form 6 and Form 7,” Mr Kaunisela advised.