FNU campus visit will strengthen USA-Fiji education ties
Marie Damour says the focus of her visit to the Fiji National University’s Natabua Campus on Wednesday is to discuss educational programmes and enhancing academic relations. The Ambassador of the United States of America to Fiji believes in the power of collaboration and partnership to address complex challenges and to create positive change in all of our communities. “I’m here at FNU Lautoka to discuss education programmes, but the United States of America Embassy in Suva partners with people and organisations across Fiji to promote shared goals such as inclusive economic prosperity, security or in chapel changes that we all face like climate change,” Ms Damour said.
“I’m happy to share that for the second time, the embassy is providing fellowships for the masters fund for summer work travel, this is a fully-funded programme that allows undergraduates from the Pacific to work in the USA during their year end holidays.
“I’m told that two students from Fiji recently completed this programme.” She said the USA Embassy in Fiji was now accepting applications for this programme.
“This is an opportunity that opens doors for cultural exchange, personal growth and professional development,” Ms Damour said.
“If you haven’t already, I encourage you to follow us on Facebook. I think it’s the US Embassy Suva because that’s how you can learn more about how to apply for that programme for the Fulbright Programme.”
She commended students who were pursing courses in teaching for their commitment to education and that their role as teachers in the future would help shape the next generation of leaders and innovators in Fiji .
FNU Vice-Chancellor Professor Unaisi Nabobo Baba said the institution’s mandate was to provide holistic education.
“Our ranking as a university in higher education is moving up the ladder because even though we are 13 years old, some parts of us are 140 years old, that’s the College of Medicine, Health Sciences and Nursing. So while our university is 13 years old, the combined age of our colleges is 480 with the oldest sitting at 140,” she said.