Spotlight Archives - The University of Fiji

Jan 17

Dear Students

Greetings from the Office of the Registrar!

Kindly note that the Application for Completion of Programme is now open for 4th April, 2025 Graduation.

Students eligible to apply for Completion of Programme are those who have completed their programme of

study in:

Semester 2, 2024
Trimester 3, 2024
Flexi, 2024-2025

Students who have already applied, need not re-apply.

Please find the attached Advertisement and Application for Completion of Programme.

CALL FOR APPLICATION – COMPLETION OF PROGRAMME

APPLICATION-FOR-COMPLETION-OF-PROGRAMME-FORM

Dec 31

White Shrimp Harvest Marks Milestone in Sustainable Aquaculture at Vitawa Village

Vitawa Village, Rakiraki – The University of Fiji celebrated a significant achievement in sustainable aquaculture with its first white shrimp harvest this month at the Vitawa Village Aquaculture Farm in the Ra Province, located in the northern area of Viti Levu, the Fijian’s largest Island. This milestone highlights efforts toward food security and rural aquaculture under a US$350,00 US Agency for International Development (USAID) Pacific American Fund grant.

The event was attended by Minister of Fisheries Alitia Bainivalu, who highlighted the critical role of the recently passed Aquaculture Bill in advancing Fiji’s aquaculture sector.

USAID Pacific Islands Mission Director Zema Semunegus highlighted the critical role of partnerships with universities and other like-minded donors in driving local solutions to improve community livelihoods. “This partnership between the Vitawa community, the University of Fiji, USAID, and the International Cooperation and Development Fund (TaiwanICDF) has strengthened food security, generated income, and equipped community members with entrepreneurial skills for long-term sustainable solutions,” said Semunegus.

“This initiative goes beyond improving livelihoods—it empowers families to invest in their futures, from sending their children to school to meeting other essential needs. It exemplifies how innovation and collaboration can transform lives and create lasting impact,” she added.

USAID Pacific American Fund Chief of Party, Erin LaCroix, commended the project as a testament to innovation in rural development. “This is more than just an aquaculture endeavor. It is a lifeline for communities in Vitawa, where challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic have demanded creativity and determination to rebuild livelihoods”, she said.

Director Quality Assurance at The University of Fiji, Mr. Deepak Lal, speaking on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, emphasized the importance of academia in addressing community needs through impactful initiatives like this. “This project reflects UniFiji’s commitment to giving back and serving communities, particularly in areas where the need is greatest,” he said.

Mr. Tomas Chan, representing TaiwanICDF, expressed gratitude to the Vitawa community for their dedication, highlighting the stocking of 10,000 larvae in June, the fruits of which we bear witness as an early holiday gift.

UniFiji Project Manager, Kelera Railoa, provided the latest update on the harvest: the anticipated total harvest of 100 kg white shrimp will be carried out in partial harvests. On Day 1, 26 kg was collected, generating FJD 1,300 (equivalent to USD561.06) in sales, with additional harvests continuing over the next few days.

Mr. Rusi Waqata, representing the Vitawa community, thanked all partners for their support, including the Ministry of Fisheries, USAID Pacific American Fund, UniFiji and its partner the Pacific Islands Development Forum (PIDF), TaiwanICDF, Japan International Cooperation Agency, and University of the South Pacific.

“This harvest showcases the dedication of our community in adopting sustainable aquaculture practices,” said Mr. Waqata, Chair of the Vitawa Pond Management Committee.

This project and multi-stakeholder collaboration align with Fiji’s broader initiatives to foster the Blue Economy, enhance food security, and strengthen climate resilience, particularly in areas affected by saltwater intrusion.

Pictured L-R: Tui Navatu, USAID Pacific American Fund Chief of Party Erin Lacroix, University of Fiji Director Quality Assurance Mr Deepak Lal, Honorable Minister for Fisheries Alitia Bainivalu, Taiwan Technical Mission (TTM) lead Mr Tomas Chan and Mr Evan, celebrating the success of the White shrimp farming initiative, holding the fresh first catch of shrimp.

Community members, project stakeholders, and dignitaries observe the first catch of shrimp from the Vitawa village Aquaculture farm.

Chief Guest Honorable Minister Alitia Bainivalu (third from left) delivering her address. Seated 1st -2nd left Director Quality Assurance University of Fiji Mr Deepak Lal, Taiwan Technical Mission Director Mr Jerry Liao, 4th & 5th from left USAID Pacific American Fund Chief of Party Erin LaCroix, Vitawa village Chief Tui Navatu

Dec 12

The University of Fiji and the University of Bradford signed a Memorandum of Understanding by inaugurating a Peace Garden in Levuka

The University of Fiji and the University of Bradford signed a Memorandum of Understanding by inaugurating a Peace Garden in Levuka this morning.

The unique ceremony was witnessed by the citizens of Levuka, chiefs of Ovalau and Moturiki and the Royal Society of Arts, whereby the University of Fiji and the University of Bradford signed a Memorandum of Understanding to develop joint projects in higher education including in formal and informal education.

The first collaboration between the two universities was the inauguration today of a Peace Garden on the site of the Masonic Lodge in Levuka built in 1913. The Lodge suffered a serious arson attack in 2000 and only the walls of the building still remain.

The University of Fiji had earlier been requested by the Levuka Town Council to suggest a use for the ruins. An MOU between the Levuka Town Council and UniFiji signed in October this year provided the basis for the request.

The new MOU between the University of Fiji and Bradford University gave the two universities on opposite sides of the world an opportunity to develop the Peace Garden as their first joint initiative. The site of the Peace Garden was gifted to the Levuka Town Council by Lodge Polynesia under a separate MOU.

The Vice Chancellors of the University of Fiji, Professor Shaista Shameem and the Vice Chancellor of Bradford University, Professor Shirley Congdon, by zoom, signed the MOU simultaneously.

Professor Shameem said UniFiji’s new partnership with Bradford gave both universities the chance to work together in areas of mutual interest such as student and staff exchanges, joint research and publications and artistic projects like the Peace Garden in Levuka.

She said that Bradford University’s reputation as a leader in Peace Studies Programmes internationally made the MOU proposal very attractive to UniFiji. The opportunity presented by the Levuka Town Council’s request for UniFiji to make something of the ruins of the Masonic Lodge was welcome.

The University was delighted to work with the Levuka Town Council’s Works Team and develop the Peace Garden to formally mark the signing ceremony and consolidate its partnership with both the Council and Bradford, she said. Introduction to Bradford’s programmes had initially been made by the British High Commisioner to Fiji, Dr Brian Jones. The two universities subsequently worked together to formalize the partnership through an MOU.

Speaking from Bradford University, Vice Chancellor Professor Shirley Congdon said that they are committed to this partnership and delighted to be able to participate in the activities to develop research funds, to facilitate research mobility, to support student exchange programs along with other initiatives.

“We once again congratulate you on this major initiative which will allow more people to have access to education, to utilize this education with the establishment of this seriously important initiative in Fiji.”

The formal signing of the MOU took place in the Queen Victoria Memorial Town Hall. The Peace Garden was inaugurated by the Chairperson of the Levuka Town Council Board, Mr Ben Naidu, who marked the occasion by switching on the water fountain in the Garden and unveiling a plaque after the ceremony.

The Royal Society of Arts Oceania Fellow Dr Erica Myers-Davis brought a message of support for the initiative from the RSA. In her address she said that this event highlights the power of collaborative innovation, a cornerstone of the RSA’s mission.

“The partnership between the Universities of Fiji and Bradford, the Levuka Town Council, and RSA Oceania demonstrates how working across disciplines and sectors can produce initiatives with profound local and global impact. The Peace Garden is proof of the importance of uniting people and ideas to create change.”

Also present at the event was the Acting British High Commissioner to Fiji Her Excellency Ms Nicola Noble and Second Secretary (Political) Isaac Greenwood.

The University has opened an office at Levuka for the purposes of providing support for their Levuka students and broad- based education to the people of Ovalau and Moturiki.

About 100 people witnessed the signing ceremony.

Jun 22