Thirteen higher education institutions in Fiji will receive a substantial government grant amounting to $88.7 million for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. This funding was announced during a recent signing ceremony for grant agreements by Steve Chand, chairperson of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Fiji.
Chand highlighted that these grants align with the Coalition Government’s pledge to meet future workforce demands in the country. He stated, “This funding aims to enhance the competitiveness of the Fijian workforce in the medium to long term by providing students access to high-quality education and professional training.”
With this initiative, more Fijians will acquire the knowledge, skills, and ethical responsibility necessary to meet the evolving employment demands of a dynamic economy and to tackle the skills gap in Fiji. Chand pointed out that the allocation of the funds was determined based on the Costed Operational Plans (COPs) submitted by the 13 institutions.
He emphasized that the funds are intended for operational expenses only, not for capital asset purchases, and urged institutions to consult with the HEC for any questions regarding fund usage.
To ensure that the grants serve the needs of the labor market, all institutions will be required to submit Graduate Destination Surveys along with their quarterly financial reports. The HEC will evaluate the effectiveness of the grants, and if any institution is found to produce graduates in fields with an oversupply of labor, funding for those programs may be retracted.