To make graduations memo­rable and support grassroots entrepreneurship develop­ment, the Fiji National University (FNU) is gifting an authentic and traditional artefact, iri (fan), to all its graduates.

FNU Alumni Relations Manager Artila Devi said the authentic local gift was selected to mark the impor­tant achievement of the graduating students as well as support women in our communities.

“Giving them a tangible item in the form of an iri is a small gesture from the university and one that represents our lifelong connection with the graduating students,” she said.

FNU Director Marketing and Communications Jenies Mudil­iar said: “When we were initially mulling over the idea of giving our graduates a graduation souvenir, we wanted to it be something close to our culture while at the same time help grassroots communities with their livelihood.

“We were environmentally con­scious as well and decided that we will not be going for off the shelf, single-use products. The gradua­tion iri met all these criteria and was perfect for our tropical gradua­tion setting.”

Nalini Devi sewing the Iri for FNU graduates . Photo: FNU

FNU selected the Ba Women’s fo­rum, which is an umbrella organi­sation made up of 87 women’s clubs in Ba, to craft the 1400 iri.

Dr Maria Doton, President, Ba Women’s Forum, said the women at the training centre are taught and upskilled to be empowered and the FNU iri was one such product they specialised in making.

“Twenty-six women were perma­nently assigned to do the iri with three trainers supervising them,” she said.

“The raw materials used in mak­ing these iri were sourced from the main producers to make sure that the supply is sustainable and regu­lar. The vau (hibiscus fibre) came from Lau, the masi from Vatulele and the fine magimagi imported from the Philippines.”

To ensure durability the supervi­sors did quality check to ensure the iris are secured properly.

Dr Doton admits it was not an easy task to meet the order.

“The challenge we faced was the quality of the raw materials, which was beyond our control because of the rainy weather, which affected the drying and printing of the masi and vau,” she said.

The well-known dentist and com­munity advocate thanked FNU for giving them the opportunity to make the iri for the 2019 graduates as this economically empowered their members.

“The women have financially gained from the production and this economic empowerment made them contribute to their families’ needs.

“This opportunity has also given them an avenue to create a special­ty product for their future income,” Dr Doton said.

From left: Maria Shackley, Leanne Ratulevu, Seini Bokini and Nalini Devi. They are team behind the making of the 2019 FNU Iri for graduates. Photo: FNU