Open Days crucial: Dr Jiko Luveni
It is crucial to have an open day to provide tertiary education that was flexible, innovative, affordable, contemporary and futuristic, says Speaker to Parliament Dr Jiko Luveni. “Open days were a vital part of the process of applying to university,” she said. Dr Luveni made these remarks while officiating at the University of Fiji’s Open Day in Lautoka yesterday.
“They offer potential students the opportunity to look around campuses that they might one day attend, and help them narrow down their options,” Dr Luveni said.
“It is also a wonderful opportunity to look around and try to visualise one’s self living, studying and growing as a person through the lecture halls, campus and atmosphere. Open days could help change a student’s decisions.” Dr Luveni said there was no better way to understand what one would be studying than to hear it from the lecturers themselves.
“Not only will one find out about the courses, but one can also ask questions that they have been struggling with,” she said.
“It is my hope that this event will provide an opportunity for members of the community, families with parents and their children to celebrate the achievements of the university and at the same time witness the university showcase its offerings. “I am confident that the Open Day will offer meaningful interaction for all stakeholders. “I am very pleased to note that your university offers a wonderful opportunity for university level education for those who reside in the West,” Dr Luveni said. She said quality education was often not easy to find, but was confident that the university would provide it.
The University of Fiji is in collaboration with other reputable institutions such as the Monash University through their student exchange programme, and the University of the South Pacific through joint research.
“I am also impressed that your university, in understanding the value of quality and lifelong learning has engaged with the government of India and the United States of America through USAID to run programmes that add great value to all those who choose to study in this University.” Dr Luveni urged members of the community, parents and students, to embrace this opportunity and learn as much as they could about the courses on display. “This is the place and an event where we can clarify our doubts and can also set the foundation of what we wish to become and be worthwhile citizens of Fiji,” she said. Students from various secondary schools in the western division attended the Open Day in Lautoka, while students in the Central Division visited an Open Day held in Suva. Edited by Jonathan Bryce