The Higher Education Commission Fiji (HECF) chairman Steven Chand has stated that the commission does not fund unemployment. He emphasized that all Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) must submit graduate employment surveys to demonstrate that their graduates either find employment or become entrepreneurs after graduation and do not remain unemployed.
“This destination survey is now mandatory for all HEIs,” said Chand.
Chand also mentioned that any failure by a Higher Education Institution to meet this requirement would result in the HECF withholding grants. He pointed out that the quality and employability of qualifications are critically assessed, and that a strict check and balance procedure is in place.
For transparency, Chand noted that details of disbursed funds are made available to the public, with the same information published on their website. He stressed the importance of ensuring that taxpayers’ dollars are invested wisely and that the government achieves a return on its investment.