Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has urged newly-awarded scholarship recipients to stay focused on their academic pursuits and steer clear of drugs and other harmful influences as they embark on their educational journeys. During the launch of the 2026 Scholarship Awards by the iTaukei Land Trust Board (TLTB), Prime Minister Rabuka addressed the first cohort of 15 iTaukei students selected for this national education initiative.
Mr. Rabuka emphasized the importance of maintaining discipline and avoiding distractions that could derail their studies. “I urge you to not get distracted by peer pressure or get involved with drugs and alcohol,” he stated. He described the TLTB Education Scholarship Fund as a crucial investment made possible through the unwavering support of landowners.
“This scholarship fund is an investment in our people, an investment in potential, and an investment in the long-term prosperity of iTaukei landowners,” the Prime Minister noted. He encouraged the scholarship recipients to remain dedicated to their objectives and to keep in mind the motivations behind their pursuit of higher education.
Supported by the iTaukei Wealth Fund, the scholarship aims to ensure structured and equitable access to higher education across all sectors for iTaukei students residing in rural, maritime, and urban areas. It provides financial need-based, merit-based, and field-specific assistance in priority sectors such as engineering, healthcare, aviation, business, information technology, finance, and land resource management.
In addition to tuition support, recipients will benefit from mentorship and internship opportunities, with a commitment to work in Fiji for three to five years following their completion of studies. Mr. Rabuka also acknowledged the generosity of the chiefs and landowners of TLTB-managed lands, who have contributed a portion of their earnings to establish this scholarship program.
“I urge you all to use it well,” he encouraged, instilling hope and a sense of responsibility in the young recipients for their future contributions to the community and the nation. This initiative emphasizes the significance of education as a pathway to personal and national advancement, fostering a hopeful outlook for the future of iTaukei students.
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