Thirteen higher education institutions in Fiji will receive a substantial government grant amounting to $88.7 million for the 2024-2025 financial year. This announcement was made by Steve Chand, chairperson of the Higher Education Commission (HEC), during the signing ceremony for the government grant agreements.
Chand emphasized that these grants are part of the Coalition Government’s commitment to meeting the future labor demands within the country. He stated, “This funding aims to enhance the competitiveness of the Fijian workforce in the medium to long term by providing students with access to high-quality education and professional training.”
He explained that by improving educational opportunities, more Fijians would acquire the necessary knowledge, skills, and ethical considerations to satisfy the needs of a rapidly changing economy and help alleviate the skills shortage in Fiji.
The allocation of these funds was determined by evaluating the Costed Operational Plans (COPs) provided by the thirteen institutions. Chand clarified that the grants are designated mainly for operational costs and not for purchasing capital assets.
He advised that institutions must engage with the HEC for any inquiries regarding the use of the funds. To ensure the grants align with labor market requirements, all institutions must submit Graduate Destination Surveys along with their quarterly financial reports.
The HEC will assess the effectiveness of the grants, and if it is determined that an institution is producing graduates in areas with an oversaturation of labor, funding for those programs may be retracted.