CAPTION: Left to Right Attorney-General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, FNU Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Ganesh Chand, and Managing Director CINEC, Capt. Peshala Medagama.
Fiji National University (FNU) and Colombo International Nautical & Engineering College (CINEC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) yesterday to develop programmes that will see a higher standard of training in Fiji for the maritime industry.
Under the MOU, CINEC has proposed to work with FNU to raise the school’s instruction to international standards, develop relevant maritime and educational training courses, provide continuing training for existing faculty, introduce new faculty as and when necessary, and help secure berths on ships for recruits following the navigation and maritime engineering cadet training programs.
The Maritime Training School will train students from Fiji and other areas as agreed by FNU and CINEC. It will operate on a commercial basis and will approach the market as a collaborative project relying on the strengths of both parties.
FNU Vice-Chancellor Dr. Ganesh Chand called the MOU a significant step forward for the development of the school. “CINEC is an internationally-respected institution – based in Sri Lanka – and their expertise and input into FNU’s programme will greatly improve the quality and standards of our maritime training courses.”
Dr. Chand said that the Bainimarama Government has been committed to developing and improving the maritime sector, and has accordingly allocated significant funds to upgrade the facilities and equipment at the school. “Now, in partnership with CINEC, we will be much better placed to leverage this investment to make sure that graduates of our program meet the highest international standards.”
“Our goal is to make FNU’s Maritime School one of the best in the world,” he added.
CINEC has undertaken to submit a proposal to FNU within four weeks of the signing of the MOU. Should the proposal be accepted, FNU and CINEC will sign a Definitive Agreement and the joint project will begin within two months.
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