Fiji National University celebrates alumni homecoming event
Fiji National University marked a ‘symbiotic relationship’ with their alumni yesterday through an array of commemorations, particularly dedicated to the university’s College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences.
The Alumni Homecoming Event, hosted in Suva, began with a march led by the Republic of Fiji Military Forces band from the Flea Market to Ratu Sukuna Park. Joining them were students of Lelean Memorial High School.
As well as speaking on the great strides FNU had made in the regional academic scene, keynote speaker and chief guest, Speaker to Parliament Dr Jiko Luveni praised the FNU Alumni Association for hosting such an important event. “It took me by surprise to discover that FNU’s history threads back to 1885 when FSM was first established. It has since then produced high quality medical practitioners serving the nation and the region,” Dr Luveni said.
“The college is the leading health, workforce, academic, educational and research institution in the Pacific region today.
“It strives for excellence and relevance in all that it does and graduates are coming out more prepared and trained through improved facilities and technology.”
FNU was formed in 2010 when Fiji Institute of Technology, Fiji School of Nursing, Fiji College of Advanced Education, Lautoka Teachers College, Fiji School of Medicine and Fiji College of Agriculture merged into a single institution.
The medical college offers training in a multitude of health science disciplines, including medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physiotherapy, radiography laboratory technology, public health, dietetics and environmental health.
“As a university, we are judged on the quality of the graduates we produce and on the contribution our alumni make to business, government and society,” said Vice Chancellor Professor Nigel Healey.
“With 17,000 students enrolled in our colleges and another 10,000 students taking short courses at the NTPC, FNU provides a comprehensive system of post-secondary education and training that reaches every part of the Fijian society. “We are pleased to work with the FNU Alumni Association to better support our global family of alumni and, in turn, to reach out to our alumni for your support in making FNU even stronger in the years ahead.”
The two-day celebrations ended yesterday.