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The University of Fiji with its emerging focus on internationalization through functioning multilaterally and not unilaterally will have more to its advantage in relation to research-based teaching, research, and knowledge transfer, says Vice-Chancellor Professor Prem Misir.

Speaking at the University’s School of Science and Technology (SOST) student orientation, he added that developing a global network was crucial for the University.

“The University of Fiji is forging ahead with the task of developing a global network of academic and commercial partners; the University of Fiji’s South Pacific location and cultural dimensions of its student body symbolize a huge asset to facilitate interactions with global alumni and graduate networks,” stated Prof Misir.

He advised the SOST students that they would have a fundamental association with the staff to help develop a knowledge based society.

“Through the Strategic Plan, you would have an intrinsic collaboration with the University’s staff to contribute to develop a knowledge society in Fiji. Indeed, when you complete your studies, your input to develop this knowledge society continues by virtue of your achievements at the University of Fiji,” he reinforced.

Vice-Chancellor also said that after graduating from the University students would have certain qualities that would build a knowledge society.

“We want our graduates to be a creative thinker; to develop interpersonal skills; to have ICT literacy; to have an innovative ability; to acquire an internationally – oriented mind-set; to have an environmentally-responsible outlook; and to build a commitment to ethical values,” he concluded.

The orientation was attended by over 50 first year students and was a success.

Meanwhile registrations are still on-going at both the Saweni and Suva Campuses.

 

The University of Fiji today conducted its student orientation and was a massive success attended by hundreds of students.

Speaking at the event the motivational speaker Mr Seru Ramakita shared the importance of hard work and determination.

“When you enter the University, I now you would be scared but remember to work. If you are ever in doubt seek assistance from your lecturers and always complete your work on time. If you work hard, you will never fail a unit and you would never get in trouble with the school or the TSLB,” he explained.

Vice-Chancellor Prof Prem Misir said joining UniFiji would provide building blocks of a knowledge based society that the current Government is striving towards.

“I harbor no illusions that your entrance into the intellectual halls of this University would provide face-to-face interactions with three components as building blocks of a knowledge society, among others; these building blocks are internationalization, interdisciplinarity, and academic-industry collaboration,” he stated.

He further added that as students at the University of Fiji, they would experience both disciplinarity and interdisciplinarity.

“Disciplinarity is the expertise within a particular discipline; and interdisciplinarity will enable students to study problems and their solutions that require inputs from several disciplines,” he explained.

Students who attended the orientation said that they were overwhelmed and were very appreciative of the orientation.

“The orientation was really informative and I learnt a lot including information on the University and its facilities as well as the strategic plan,” said Sheenal Aashna, a first year BSc student.

“I found this orientation really interesting and I learnt a lot of things like the courses being offered,” said Swashna, a first year BA student.

Student orientation at the Suva Campus would be held on 13^th February.

Registrations are on-going at the both the Campuses.

The Masters in Renewable Energy Management (MREM) being offered by the University of Fiji would help in human capacity building towards the implementation of renewable energy, which is an essential tool for climate change mitigation, says Dr Anirudh Singh, Coordinator of the MREM programme at UniFIji.

“If you want to implement renewable energy, you ought to have the capacity to do it and one the aspects of capacity building is human capacity building. This is where the MREM programme has taken a lead as it trains people to participate in these projects,” said Dr Singh.

He further explained that the programme ties in well with the outcomes of COP21.

“The outcomes of COP21 are that the world has agreed to support the poorer nations to carry out their climate change mitigation activities and one of the main methods for climate change mitigation is implementation of renewable energy,” he stated.

He also said the MREM programme, which is one of its kind in Fiji, came at a very suitable time when Fiji held the presidency of COP23.

“MREM course comes in at a very opportune time; this is something that we ought to be proud about that UniFiji has actually chosen to offer this course at this time of the history of the country,” he reinforced.

He further explained that students who finished the MREM programme would be working at the cutting edge of Fiji’s socio-economic development.

Meanwhile he said that the student numbers for the course had exceeded expectations.

Registrations are still open for the programme till the end of February but only a limited number of additional students will be admitted this semester.

 

 

 

The University of Fiji will be hosting its orientation on 9^th and 10^th February at the Saweni Campus and on the 13^th at Suva Campus.

Acting Vice-Chancellor Dr Wahab Ali said that the University was ready to welcomes its new students as they took their first step into tertiary education.

“We have designed a special programme with lots of tips and information that will enable students to settle in at the University,” stated the Acting Vice-Chancellor Associate Professor Dr. Wahab Ali.

Research and Technical Officer Dr Ajantha Perera said that the true purpose of orientation was to explain to the students the value of the programmes that they were undertaking.

“We wish to explain to students the value of the programmes they are entering, the need for completion and also assurance that once they enter UniFiji the staff is capable of ensuring that they complete their programmes to their satisfaction,” stated Dr Perera.

She further explained that the orientation would hold segments for extra curricula activities which was an important part of studies in UniFiji.

“Joining clubs and societies would enable them to become not only academics but complete person,” she reinforced.

The orientation will cover an array of activities designed to enable new students enjoy a smooth transition to UniFiji lifestyle.

Mr Manasa Tagicakibau,the Commissioner Western Division, would be the guest speaker on 9^th and Mr Bobby Maharaj, the CEO of TSLB would be the guest speaker on the 10^th.

Students are urged to attend the orientation.

 

 

 

 

The University Of Fiji’s School Of Law will unveil its ‘Bema’ at the Samabula Campus at a ceremony to be held at the Campus on Friday 3rd February at 4 pm.

Former Fiji High Court Judge and current Commissioner of the Fiji Independent Services Commission (ILSC), Dr Thomas V. Hickie, will officially unveil the Bema.

The Dean of School of Law, Professor Shaista Shameem, said that the Law School’s Bema, which is an Oratory Platform, was constructed in memory of lawyers and public speakers in Ancient Greece who used the platform to express their views and argue their cases before a critical and discerning audience.

‘At the time of Socrates, Plato and Aristotle, the Bema was the central speaking platform where philosophers, lawyers and political figures would argue their philosophical perspectives without referring to notes’. Professor Shameem said that the Ancient Greek speakers expected to be criticised, heckled and argued against, so they had to be prepared to fire back with knowledge of the subject and be witty at the same time.

‘We are training our law students at the University of Fiji to be great orators, whether as lawyers, or parliamentarians, or public speakers on any occasion; the Bema will be our training ground for that’ she said.

Professor Shameem said the Law School was fortunate in that one of the great judicial orators in Fiji, Dr Thomas Hickie, had agreed to unveil the Bema. Dr Hickie was renowned for his public speaking skills and charismatic personality. Professor Shameem expected the legal community and others interested in legal education to attend the Unveiling at the Samabula Campus.