Australian ambassador Robert Cotton reaffirmed Australia’s commitment to the development of Fiji and other South Pacific nations during his speech at the 1989 Telecommunication Training Centre (TTC) graduation ceremony. A report from The Fiji Times on October 2 of that year highlighted his focus on enhancing telecommunications services across the region.
Cotton stated that Australia was ready to provide assistance through bilateral programs, regional organizations such as the Forum Secretariat, and support for individual countries. Australia aims to help South Pacific island nations stay updated with technological advancements in telecommunications.
The graduation ceremony celebrated the completion of studies by 67 students at the TTC, with programs ranging from one to three years. The graduates consisted of technical cadets, trainee technicians, and telephone operators. Notably, 20 graduates received diplomas in telecommunications engineering, including two Tongans, one Western Samoan, and 17 Fijians. Additionally, 17 Fijians earned higher technician certificates, and 12 students from Tonga, Kiribati, Western Samoa, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu graduated from the trainee technician program. Furthermore, 17 radio and telephone operators, comprising 13 Fijians and four Tuvaluans, were awarded certificates.
Funding for the regional students’ training was provided by Australia, New Zealand, Pac Broad, and the Commonwealth Fund for Technical Cooperation, while the Posts and Telecommunications Department, along with sponsoring organizations, covered the costs for Fijian students.
Emori Naqova, the permanent secretary for Telecommunications, announced plans to expand the marketing of TTC’s programs to other organizations starting next year. This initiative is aimed at addressing the growing demand for trained staff, which has resulted in a considerable staff attrition issue.