Fiji National University has officially launched the Pacific Centre for Aviation Studies at its Nadi campus, an upgrade from its former Department of Aviation Studies designed to meet rising regional demand for specialised aviation skills as tourism and connectivity expand across the Pacific.
The centre, launched at a ceremony in Nadi last night, will broaden FNU’s existing aircraft maintenance licensing programmes and introduce a suite of targeted sub-courses aimed at strengthening technical capability and professional development. New course streams will focus on safety systems, operational management and quality assurance — areas industry leaders say are critical as the region seeks to align with international aviation standards.
Among the programmes being rolled out are a Diploma in Flight Simulation and Performance Engineering, Certificate Levels 3, 4 and 5 in Air Base Management, and plans for a Diploma in Air Base and Business Management. FNU officials said these qualifications are intended to produce graduates capable of filling roles across airline operations, airfield management and maintenance engineering, and to reduce reliance on overseas training for increasingly specialised functions.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Civil Aviation Viliame Gavoka said the establishment of the Pacific Centre for Aviation Studies reflects coordinated progress by government, industry stakeholders and international partners. Gavoka outlined an ambitious set of initiatives to establish the centre as a leading regional training institution, including the adoption of international aviation standards, deeper industry partnerships and the incorporation of advanced aviation technologies into curricula. He also announced plans to introduce what he called “30-year regional scholarships” to support long-term training pipelines for Pacific students.
The upgrade is part of a wider push to modernise and centralise aviation education under the national university framework, officials said, addressing skills gaps that have emerged as air traffic and tourism demand grow. FNU’s move comes amid broader sector reforms: the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation has been pursuing updates to Fiji’s civil aviation legislation and there have been ongoing discussions about strengthening the regulator’s finances and capacity to meet modern safety and oversight obligations.
Industry stakeholders welcomed the centre’s focus on practical, higher-level training and international alignment, saying it could help reduce training costs and improve retention of qualified personnel in the region. Earlier reporting highlighted the prohibitive expense of flight training and the role of scholarships and loans in enabling students to complete pilot and technical qualifications; the new centre’s long-term scholarship proposal aims to address those barriers at scale.
FNU will continue its established licensing pathways while phasing in the new diplomas and certificate courses. Officials said details on enrolment timelines, course accreditation and scholarship criteria will be released in the coming weeks as the centre finalises partnerships with regional airlines, international training bodies and technology providers.