A first for Fiji

REPUBLIC of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) Lieutenant Colonel Avinesh Kumar will become the first Fijian to be an instructor at the Australian Command and Staff College in Canberra, Australia.

This was announced by the Australian High Commission in Fiji.

Also, Lieutenant Commander Napolioni Waqaitairewa has become the first Fijian to be accepted to a Master of Capability Management Studies at the Australian Command and Staff College.

They departed Nadi International Airport this week with cadet officers, an officer from the RFMF and the Fiji Navy to study at the Australian Defence College institutions.

The group included RFMF cadet officers, Lieutenant Vive Kurilagi and Lieutenant Iliana Sigadrodro.

Lt Kurilagi will pursue a Bachelor of Arts program –– English Media Studies and International Political Studies while Lt Sigadrodro will pursue a Bachelor of Arts program –– International and Political Studies/ Business. They will both pursue their studies at the Australian Defence Force Academy.

Fiji Navy Captain Lepani Vaniqi will pursue a Master of Defence and Strategic Studies at the Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies at the Australian Defence College.

RFMF Major Tevita Biudole is enrolled at the Australian Cyber Security Centre.

Australian Defence Adviser to Fiji Colonel Rob Haertsch said it was great to see the RFMF and ADF overcome the challenges of COVID-19 and continue to work together.

“It has been fantastic to see the ongoing exchanges between our forces,” he said.

He said the opportunities could forge long friendships between the Australian and Fijian armies.

Picture: SUPPLIED The six RFMF officers before departing for further studies in Australia at the Nadi International Airport.

Picture: SUPPLIED Lieutenant Colonel Avinesh Kumar (left) with a relative before departing Nadi International Airport for Australia.