Caption: Fiji Higher Education Commission Manager Eci Naisele explains the cycle of education in our country. Photos: MARGARET NAQIRI.
By JOSEPHINE NAVULA
Children in the interior and outskirts of Nadi will now have a better opportunity in brightening their future after the Vivekananda Technical Centre, formally known as Nawaicoba Vocational Centre has been the first vocational centre to be accredited by the Fiji Higher Education Commission.
Fiji Higher Education Commission manager Eci Naisele said the centre is a unique one when compared with the rest of the tertiary institutions in Fiji.
“The students here will be really taken care of, since we all know that when students reach tertiary level, no one will be there to look after them compared to primary and secondary schools,” he said.
Naisele said tertiary institution deserve a much needed attention for the betterment of our economy.
“Our economy is struggling for the past years because education is not being taken seriously in tertiary sectors even though it is the key and focal point of education,” he said.
Ramakrishna Mission secretary Swami Tadananda. Photo: SHALENDRA PRASAD.
Naisele also mentioned they are going around inspecting all tertiary institutions to make sure that education is being provided in the right way.
“We are going around checking that all the 77 tertiary and vocational institutions in Fiji are registered and all the programmes are fully accredited,” he said.
Vivekananda Technical Centre offers certificate level that will enable children to contribute positively towards our economy and national building.
“What Fiji needs is the qualified people at certificate 3 and certificate 4 level to be able to do things for the economy and I am happy to say that this vocational centre offers exactly that,” he said.
The centre offers certificate level 3 courses in automotive mechanic, automotive electric and electronics, advanced office technology, PC maintenance and networking, non formal training in poultry and apiculture, cookery, baking and patisserie, carpentry and agriculture.
Swami Tadananda, secretary of the Ramakrishna Mission which is the governing authority of the Vivekananda Techincal Centre was a happy man with VTC offering the Fiji Higher Education Commission’s National Qualifications in Vocational training.
“Qualified people are in demand all the time and here we will be training people in different fields so that the students who come out from this centre can contribute effectively towards the nations economic prosperity.”
The centre has recently received a substantial grant from the European Union to boost its services and facilities.
Officials of the Fiji Higher Education Commission with the management and staff of Vivekananda Technical Centre.