Author: Sonal Shivangni

Message from the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Shaista Shameem

I am happy to report an improvement on our PC Labs availability to students in some areas, though unfortunately not yet for all of them.

After an assessment of the health and access issue, EDFPD advises as follows as an update:

As confirmed by the Permanent Secretary for Health and Medical Services non-essential businesses outside the containment zones can return to normal operations.

Therefore:

From Monday 10th May The University of Fiji will re-open its PC labs in Labasa, Tavua and Sigatoka.

The re-opening will be facilitated under the following strict access conditions:

Labasa is to have only 15 students any one point in time

Tavua is to have only 10 students any one point in time

Sigatoka to have only 10 students any one point in time

The following strict conditions also apply for access to the PC Labs in these areas:

CareFiji app will be on and checked.

Masking is compulsory.

Temperature checks are compulsory

Use of sanitizers is compulsory.

All security personnel at the PC Lab locations named above will observe these protocols strictly and will turn away anyone who does not comply.

May 6, 2021

Message from Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Shaista Shameem

Greetings.

We have been directed by the authorities to close our campuses completely from late this afternoon. This is due to the health crisis currently prevailing in Fiji.

Accordingly, only security will be permitted to enter our Samabula and Saweni campuses from this afternoon.

Fortunately, our lectures will not be unduly affected by the campus closure. The UFSA student survey on devices and connectivity just completed shows that most of our students are connected and have devices, and are thus able to continue to learn via the virtual medium.

The UFSA Survey also identified students who are facing problems; these students have now been referred to their Deans, HODs and lecturers who will ensure they are not left out.

The IT Services at UniFiji will continue to support both lecturers and students in teaching and learning via the virtual classroom. Anyone having difficulties should contact IT Services immediately as our IT staff are ready, and have the technical capacity, to assist.

The University Community has been teaching and learning together all this week with very few problems.

I am happy to report that The University of Fiji now has the reputation in higher education circles for having the best virtual learning systems in place so that we can continue to do our best for our students despite the challenges facing Fiji and the rest of the world. It is obvious that we have an excellent academic, administrative and technical team in place to enable us to maintain that reputation.

I will make further announcements as I receive updates or if the situation changes. In the meantime, please keep safe and well.

April 29, 2021

The University of Fiji has announced that it will resume all classes from Monday, April 26, 2021 after its one week mid-semester break.

The Acting Vice Chancellor of the University of Fiji Professor Shaista Shameem said the University did not see the need to extend its mid-semester break as other universities had done because the University was able to transit to a virtual campus quite easily.

Some students will have connectivity or device problems but these were being dealt with on  a case by case basis by the lecturers and Schools, she said. ‘No one will miss out on learning because this is what we have been preparing for since last year just in case the pandemic remained’.

Professor Shameem said that the University of Fiji Council had the foresight in 2020 and Semester 1 2021 to direct academic staff to continue with the 2/3 virtual learning methodology and in the latest crisis this was easily moved to 100% virtual classrooms until the situation improves.

The University has requested the Student Association to provide information on any students needing additional support which will be provided.

The University has advised all its students to contact their Schools or the Registrar’s Office for additional information.

Message from the Acting Vice Chancellor, Professor Shaista Shameem

The Fiji Higher Education Commission today directed all Higher Education Institutions to temporarily suspend ALL face to face education and training activities for the next 14 days. The directive was issued pursuant to section 7 (b) of the Higher Education Act 2008…’to safeguard the national interest, the interest of students and parents, and also of higher education providers’.

In light of this directive, the University of Fiji has revised its 15-Point Advisory to exclude physical presence of students on its campuses.

Students will not be permitted to enter the University campuses to attend face to face classes until further notice.

The University will proceed with learning and teaching only in virtual formats from Monday April 26th when Semester 1 resumes.

Students are advised to contact their lecturers and School Administrators for further details regarding their courses and programmes.

Despite the lack of face to face classes for the next 14 days the University expects all students to take advantage of the innovative teaching methods that will be used by their lecturers to ensure that learning continues without interruption.

I will keep the University Community updated as information becomes available.

I am confident that the University Community’s spirit and resilience will allow us to reach our goals in education despite the challenges.

The Deans and Senior Management join me in wishing all staff and students the very best.

April 21, 2021