The Pacific Community (SPC) presented accreditation certificates for five micro-qualifications to the Fiji National University (FNU), marking a milestone achievement for the university.
FNU’s Acting Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Teaching), Dr Jimaima Lako, highlighted the importance of these micro-credentials, “this is actually a milestone for the University; it’s not only opening up recognition but also means a lot as it opens up opportunities to the world, regional and international recognitions.”
The accredited micro-qualifications are Delivering Housekeeping and Accommodation Services, Managing Rooms Division, Planning and Promoting Hospitality Sales and Marketing, Applying Leadership and Management Skills in the Hospitality Industry, and Basic Operations in a Call Centre.
The accreditation applied to any qualification or micro-qualification submitted by an institution or provider is an evidenced-based process that ensures that the criteria and standards are met and that the evidence provided is sufficient and valid.
SPC’s Officer in Charge and Director of the Human Rights and Social Development (HRSD) division, Miles Young, highlighted the collaboration work between SPC and FNU in achieving this milestone, “the award of MQs is evidence that participants have achieved the learning outcomes and therefore have demonstrated the skills and knowledge expected upon completion of the micro-qualifications.”
Young further explained that the Fiji National Provident Fund recognised all MQs that have been and will be accredited through SPC’s Educational Quality and Assessment Programme (EQAP).
“This means that students as well as parents who are members of FNPF can access funds from their FNPF to pay for fees for themselves or their children should they wish to take up the micro-qualifications,” said Young.
He highlighted that despite establishing the FNU and SPC’s Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreement during the COVID pandemic, the two institutions have successfully completed a full term of three years and have agreed on extending the partnership until 2025.
“As FNU and SPC have a vision to improve the livelihoods of the Pacific people, the partnership was extended for another three years and will now expire in 2025,” said Young.
Dr Lako also expressed her appreciation towards the partnership, “the partnership between SPC and FNU is really a testament to teamwork and regionalism; that is something we would like to continue to strengthen.”
She added that the accreditation of these micro-qualifications will benefit the university and the student's career path, “opening doors of opportunity, employment in regional organisations, local organisations, government institutions and workforce because of these skills and competency-based training”.
EQAP, under the SPC/FNU partnership, will continue to support FNU in the review, development, packaging, and accreditation of the university’s micro-qualifications.
