1. EDUCATION MINISTER RECIEVES COURTESY VISITS – The Islamic Republic of Iran’s non-resident ambassador to Fiji, Mr Seyed Majid Tafreshi Khameneh today paid a courtesy visit to the Minister for Education, Mr Filipe Bole to discuss possible areas of cooperation in the education sector.
2. UNDP RESIDENT REPRESENTATIVE THANKS FIJI – Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola farewelled the UNDP resident coordinator and representative to Fiji, Mr Knut Ostby today.
3. MECHANICAL TRAINING FOR RURAL YOUTH – The Ministry of Youth is undertaking an initiative to teach rural and maritime youths small engine repairs in order to prepare them for alternative sources of income.
1. EDUCATION MINISTER RECIEVES COURTESY VISITS
The Islamic Republic of Iran’s non-resident ambassador to Fiji, Mr Seyed Majid Tafreshi Khameneh today paid a courtesy visit to the Minister for Education, Mr Filipe Bole to discuss possible areas of cooperation in the education sector.
Mr Khameneh showed keen interest in the area of tertiary education in Fiji.
Mr Bole thanked Mr Khameneh for offers of possible cooperation towards the development of education sector in the country.
Meanwhile, the Republic of Chile’s non-resident ambassador to Fiji, Mr Isauro Torres also made a courtesy call to Mr Bole yesterday.
The meeting in line with Fiji’s Pillar 11 of the People’s Charter, for Change Peace and Progress focused on enhancing bilateral and multilateral relations between the two countries.
In his career, Mr Torres has developed an academic interest in foreign relations and a keen eye for the establishment of alliances.
Mr Bole said the courtesy calls by the two non-resident ambassadors from the Republic of Chile and the Islamic Republic of Iran begins a joint venture in diplomacy towards the development of education in Fiji.
Both the non-resident ambassadors will be based in New Zealand and presented their credentials to the President His Excellency Ratu Epeli Nailatikau yesterday at Government House.
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2. UNDP RESIDENT REPRESENTATIVE THANKS FIJI
Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola farewelled the UNDP resident coordinator and representative to Fiji, Mr Knut Ostby today.
During a farewell visit to Ratu Inoke, Mr Ostby expressed his appreciation of Fiji’s support and cooperation during his term here.
Having completed his four year term in Fiji, Mr Ostby will now be undertaking another assignment under the United Nations posting to Dilli, Timor Leste.
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3. MECHANICAL TRAINING FOR RURAL YOUTH
The Ministry of Youth is undertaking an initiative to teach rural and maritime youths small engine repairs in order to prepare them for alternative sources of income.
Permanent secretary Mr Josefa Sania said the training gives unemployed young people an alternative source of income by serving small engine repair needs in their village district or even their island.
Mr Sania said many training workshops have been conducted around the country and is encouraging youths to come forth for this type of skills training.
“We have already conducted many workshops in the North, West and interior areas of Viti Levu. Last wee, we were in Nakorosule, Naitarsiri and we are currently having a workshop with youth in Kadavu,” he said.
Mr Sania said young people from Kadavu are learning how to repair outboard engines, brush cutters, sewing machines and other similar small engines.
“This is the second term of their training and they should be graduating this week on Friday,” Mr Sania said.
He added that three more workshops will be carried out in Kadavu and similar trainings will be done for youths in the Lomaiviti group.
“Similar training will be done in the village of Navaga for youths of the Island of Koro Island and we have plans to schedule another small engine training to be conducted in Levuka in Ovalau ,” he added.
“I know this is going to be a big training for youths in the Eastern Division.”
Mr Sania said an earlier small engine training in Savusavu this year attracted many youth who found it useful and empowering.
“We had conducted a similar training in Naqere in Savusavu where we trained them not only train on small engine repairs but also on how to repair fibre glass boats,” he said.
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