New Bachelor Programme for Sports Science Planned for 2022
Come 2022, a new three year Bachelor of Sports Education and Exercise Science programme will be offered at Fiji National University (FNU)’s Department of Secondary and Sports Education in the School of Education.
The move is to boost sports science studies in Fiji and to offer post degree courses to cater for those who wish to pursue postgraduate courses in sports science.
Dean of the College of Humanities and Education Professor Unaisi Nabobo Baba said at the moment FNU is offering two programmes, that is Certificate IV in Sports Science and Trade Diploma in Sports Science.
Career options
Mrs Baba said at the completion of the programme, students can be employed in various fields and areas such as sports and exercise scientists, community sports development officers, gym attendants, team and personal trainers and many more.
“Graduates from our programme are now working as personal trainers, team coaches, gym attendants, strength and conditioning coaches, PEMAC and sports teachers, sports development officers, leisure and recreation officers.
“A few have joined the police, prison and army and are taking active roles in training. One had gone on to pursue a Bachelor in Physiotherapy; another graduate had joined the FNU staff in the faculty,” she said.
Sporting bodies in Fiji have also been encouraging its officials to make a point in attending sports science courses to have a clear perspective of their roles in the sporting organization.
With the current pandemic in Fiji, sports science plays an important role in promoting health and physical activity especially at home.
Pandemic
Mrs Baba said during this pandemic, Fijians tend to spend more time indoors hence graduates from the Sports Science programme are competent in developing online physical activity programmes.
She said sports science classes are held in four venues which includes lecture rooms in the new Nasinu gymnasium; Nasinu gymnasium fitness centre, multipurpose courts in the new FNU gym, Nasinu campus ground and Nasinu campus hard court.
“At the moment we can cater for no more than 30 students per programme given our current staffing and facilities. However, this can increase once we increase our staffing and equip our current facilities to better support our programmes,” said Mrs Baba.
Requirements
Students interested in the Bachelor of Sports Education and Exercise Science, a pass in the Fiji Year 13 Certificate Examination with a total of 200 or more marks in four subjects is required.
This includes a minimum of 50 per cent pass in English and any three other subjects or successful completion of the Diploma in Sports Science or Trade Diploma in Sports Science or itsequivalent or Matured students and experienced sports practitioners. Mature applicants with relevant industrial experience in sports science can also be enrolled upon approval of the Dean College of Humanities and Education