FNU Opens Largest Lecture Theatre
The Fiji National University yesterday opened the largest multifunctional lecture theatre in Fiji with a seating capacity of 670 people.
The building was officially opened by Vice Chancellor, Professor Nigel Healey at the university’s Natabua campus in Lautoka.
‘Na WereLevu’ is a double story building which comprises of a lecture theatre on the ground floor and eight tutorial rooms on the first floor.
The facility has been fitted with modern furniture recently sourced from China.
Professor Healey said it was a proud day for the university and a great start to the 2018 academic year.
“Na WereLevu’ complex is one of the first tangible results of the university’s major investments in capital projects,” he said.
“We increased our expenditure on repairs and maintenance from just over $2million from 2016 to over $5m in 2017 and in 2018 it’s close to $9m. Our capital projects in 2018 are over $50m.”
“We are making a huge investment in our infrastructure, particularly in new buildings,” Prof Healey said.
“This lecture theatre is a worldclass facility. It is air conditioned, it has multimedia and it will provide a venue for teaching, community events, theatre and drama and creative arts.
“It is such a symbolic point to have such facility within the University with infrastructure worthy of the national university.
“This is what we are aiming for, going forward we want all of our buildings to be of this calibre,” Prof Healey added.
Pro Vice Chancellor Learning & Teaching and Dean College of Humanities and Education, Dr Eci Nabalarua said the lecture theatre was named ‘Na WereLevu’ which was the western dialect of ‘ValeLevu’ a similar lecture theatre located in Nasinu Campus.
“When you translate ‘ValeLevu’ in English it refers to the big house,” Dr Nabalarua said.
“In the Fijian context ‘ValeLevu’ refers to the house of the Chief in any setting. It is the house where knowledge is bestowed, wisdom is learnt and traditions are actually passed down.”
“It is the place of leadership and it is the one house everyone in the village looks to for guidance, natural justice, good judgment and good role modeling.”