ANNUAL REPORT 2018 PUSHING BOUNDARIES PARLIAMENT OF FIJI PARLIAMENT PAPER NO.78 OF 2019 About FNU 2 TABLE OF Vision 3 CONTENTS Mission 3 Corporate Governance 4 Chancellor’s Foreward 10 Senior Management Group 12 Vice-Chancellor’s Foreward 16 Key developments in the colleges 19 Key developments in the support sections 22 University Statistics 26 Learning and Teaching 34 Research 38 Students 42 Corporate Social Responsibility 44 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 46 Financials 50 FIJI NATIONAL UNIVERSITY ANNUAL REPORT 2018 1 ABOUT OUR OUR FIJI NATIONAL UNIVERSITY VISION MISSION Fiji National University (FNU) is a public, comprehensive, dual- FNU is the national university of Fiji. It was established in its To be recognised as a key To support the economic and sector university: current form by the merger of six tertiary government colleges in 2010, but its constituent colleges trace their roots back to driver of Fiji’s economic social development of Fiji • Public: FNU is primarily funded by an annual Fiji Government the late 19th century. It currently has 10 major campuses, 2,000 operating grant and student tuition fees. Most Fijian students staff and approximately 20,000 students. FNU is a registered prosperity. through relevant, high-quality are eligible to cover their tuition fees and living costs by university with the Fiji Higher Education Commission (FHEC), borrowing from the publicly-funded Tertiary Scholarships which regulates the tertiary education sector in Fiji, and is self- and Loans Board (TSLB). FNU is governed by a University accrediting, in the sense that it has degree-awarding powers. education and training Council appointed by the Minister of Education, Heritage and Arts. FNU is a vocational university, educating students to succeed that maximises graduate in the labour market and contribute to the economic and • Comprehensive: FNU comprises five colleges, a specialist social development of the nation. Its programmes focus on employability and applied maritime academy and a national training centre. It offers a graduate employability. All programmes are jointly developed full range of disciplines, including agriculture and veterinary in consultation with employers and all students are required to research that has positive science, business and law, education, engineering and undertake an ‘industrial attachment’ (internship) as part of their science, and medicine and nursing. graduating requirements. societal impact. • Dual sector: FNU offers both sub-degree technical and At the same time, the University’s graduate profiles emphasise vocal education and training (TVET) and the full range of critical thinking and problem-solving, to ensure that graduates higher education qualifications from bachelor’s degrees to are prepared to adapt as ‘Industrial Revolution 4.0’ transforms “Registered with the Fiji Higher Education Commission as a University under the Higher Education Promulgation 2008. Registration doctorates. Student numbers are fairly evenly split between the labour market. TVET and higher education programmes. Certificate Number RC 0050”. 2 FIJI NATIONAL UNIVERSITY ANNUAL REPORT 2018 FIJI NATIONAL UNIVERSITY ANNUAL REPORT 2018 3 FIJI NATIONAL UNIVERSITY 2018 COUNCIL The Council shall ensure that Management meets the interests of shareholders and meet the expectations and needs of Role of Council customers, employees, suppliers and local, regional and international communities as provided for under the enabling The Council’s primary role is to provide policy making leadership decree. and development of long term strategies for the Fiji National University (FNU) to achieve the objectives of the University, and The Council is collectively accountable for maintaining in doing so, to maintain control over its assets, and establish established precedents of corporate governance practices, and high standards of ethical behavior, robust corporate governance all members are responsible for complying with their deemed and risk management practices and procedures. legal and fiduciary obligations and duty of care. Council Membership Name Info Qualifications Mr. Jannif was appointed as the Chancellor and Chair of Council on April 2015. He was appointed by the Honourable Minister for Education, Appointed by the Minister for Heritage & Arts Dr Mahendra Reddy. Mr. Jannif previously served as Education, Heritage & Arts Mr. Ikbal Jannif the Pro Chancellor and Chair of Council at the University of the South as Chancellor and Chair of Pacific. He has also served on the boards for the Reserve Bank of Fiji, Council on 21 April 2015. National Trust of Fiji, Small Claims Tribunal, PAFCO, FRCA, FIT and Fiji Public Trustee Corporation Ltd. Professor Healey joined FNU in August 2016 as the Vice Chancellor. Prior to joining FNU, Professor Healey held senior academic positions at Nottingham Trent University, the University of Canterbury and Manchester Metropolitan University, as well as teaching positions at the Prof. Nigel Fiji National University University of Leicester and Leeds Beckett University. Professor Healey Healey has served as an Economic Policy Advisor to the Prime Minister of Belarus and the Deputy Minister of Economy of the Russian Federation. He had managed a number of multi-national research and economic development projects in different parts of the world. Ms. Alison Ministry of Education, Ms. Burchell is the Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Education, Burchell Heritages & Arts Heritage & Arts. She was appointed to the FNU Council in January 2018. Mr. Sen was appointed to the FNU Council in 2012. He has served on various Sub Committees of Council. He is the President of CPA Fiji and holds a Masters in Commerce, CPA, Post graduate Diploma in Accounting Mr. Uday Sen Fiji Institute of Accountants and Financial Management, Post Graduate Diploma in Banking and Finance, Bachelor of Arts Degree majoring in Accounting and Information System. CORPORATE Mr. Hazelman is the Chief Executive Officer of the Fiji Commerce & Mr. Nesbitt Fiji Commerce & Employers Employers Federation. He was appointed to the FNU Council in March GOVERNANCE Hazelman Federation 2012. He holds a Master’s Degree in HR/IR, Post Graduate HR, BA Sociology and Management. Ms. Ledua was appointed to the FNU Council in 2012. She holds an Association Certificate in Midwifery from the Fiji School of Nursing, Certificate of Public Health from School of Nursing, and Bachelor in Mrs. Silina Fiji Nursing Association Nursing with Distinction from University of Sydney. She also holds a Waqa Ledua Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences from University of Auckland and a Professional Diploma in Business Leadership from the University of the South Pacific. Mr. Robinson Mr. Prasad was appointed to the FNU Council in 2012 He holds a Bachelor Fiji Lawyers Association Prasad of Laws (LLB) and PDLP Law and is a Barrister and Solicitor. 4 FIJI NATIONAL UNIVERSITY ANNUAL REPORT 2018 FIJI NATIONAL UNIVERSITY ANNUAL REPORT 2018 5 Mr. Singh was appointed to the FNU Council in 2012. He is the General FINANCIAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE Mr. Rajeshwar Fiji Public Service Association Secretary of the Fiji Public Service Association and holds a Masters in Singh Philosophy from FNU. Role and Responsibilities Role and Responsibilities Mr. Nata was appointed to the FNU Council in 2017. He holds a Bachelor The primary role of the Committee is to advise and make Mr. Solomoni Fiji Institute of Valuation and The Committee is primarily responsible for considering, of Arts majoring in Land Management & Development from the University recommendations to the Council on policy and strategic Nata Estate Management reviewing and advising the Council on the development and planning matters as they relate to Human Resources. In addition, of the South Pacific. implementation of the University’s Budgetary Plan. More the Committee shall: specifically, the Committee shall: Mr. Kamesh Prasad was appointed to the FNU Council in 2017. He is the Principal of Labasa College. He holds a Post Graduate Diploma in • Develop a framework for remuneration and conditions of Mr. Kamlesh Make recommendations or report to the Council on the following: Fiji Principals’ Association Educational Leadership (PGDEL), Post Graduate Certificate in Education service of staff other than those in senior management Prasad • annual operating and capital budget (PGCE), Bachelor of Science (BSc) and Secondary Teacher Training positions; • annual audited financial statements Certificate (STTC). • Develop adequate staff appraisal and staff development • policies related to financial management systems; Mr. Karan was elected Dean’s Representative from the Fiji National Prof. Ram • Monitor the appropriateness of staff salary and benefit Fiji National University University. He holds a PhD in law from University of Technology, Sydney. Karan Monitor and report to the Council on: plans to ensure they are consistent with sound financial He was elected in 2017. • the University’s financial performance against targets management principles; • development, review and implementation of financial • Give due regard to any relevant legal requirements and Mr. Prasad was the elected Professorial Representative from the Fiji Prof. Rajendra policies and delegations employer – employee relations conditions; Fiji National University National University. He holds a PhD from Indian Institute of Technology, Prasad • Keep under review rules for the conduct, suspension, Kanpur (India). He was elected in 2017. • the status of University