Master’s In Economics To Be Re-Offered, New Programmes in 2023
From 2023, the Department of Economics and Customs at the Fiji National University (FNU) will offer new programmes in the area of Quantitative Economics and Customs and Border Management at both Diploma and Degree level.
The Department will also re-offer a Master’s in Economics by coursework which has been shelved for the last few years, and revise its current Postgraduate Diploma in Economics.
Head of Department – Economics and Customs at FNU’s College of Business, Hospitality and Tourism Studies (CBHTS), Rusi Vakaloloma said the current Economics programme was developed since the old Fiji Institute of Technology (FIT) days.
“All undergraduate programmes at FNU’s Department of Economics and Customs follow a stringent approval process through the Fiji Higher Education Commission (FHEC) standards. A degree has 24 courses over three years with the expected eight courses at 500, 600 and 700 level.
“However, for students to finally graduate, they are required to undertake a four months industrial attachment and submit a project at the end of the attachment period to fulfil the degree requirement.
“From 2023, all Customs programmes will have an additional compulsory practical short-course on ‘Dangerous, Hazardous and Harmful Cargoes’ offered by FNU’s School of Maritime. It is also important to note that under the FHEC regulations, students will only be able to enrol in 4 courses at either 500, 600 or 700 levels per semester unless under special circumstances.
“These programmes are offered through a single and double major option. Masters in economics by coursework will include new courses in regional and urban economics, economics of innovation, trade economics and cge applications and many more” he said.
Economic programme
Mr Vakaloloma adds that after a decade, the Economics programme at FNU has evolved to meet the current market demands.
He said at the moment, the current programmes are being revised and discussions are ongoing with our local and international industry and partner organisations.
“Recruitment of specialists is also part of the current process.”
Mr Vakaloloma said the Economics programme at FNU is a composite package where students gain multiple skills from a broad area.
He said the programme also acquired unique skills and core proficiencies in areas of particular specialisation.
“In simplicity, when you hire an Economics graduate, you are hiring a driver, a mechanic, a thinker and a doer.
“When they drive, they know/feel/hear/sense what is wrong and if given the opportunity, they should be able to suggest or fix what is wrong. If they cannot, they will simply call a senior driver/ mechanic/thinker.
“However, over time, this driver/mechanic/ thinker will require thorough skills and knowledge upgrades,” said Mr Vakaloloma.
At the moment, all Economic programmes are offered at Namaka, Nasinu, Ba, Labasa with Lautoka offering only selected courses for Education.