Attorney-General and Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum says the facilities in the new Fiji National University building can be found in any other university in the world.

Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said this as he commissioned the university’s College of Business, Hospitality and Tourism $27million complex at the FNU Nasinu Campus on Friday.

He said the best way to develop any country was to invest in education and Government was committed to sustainable development, particularly in education.

“This structure here as you can see, you can find this in ANU, UNSW, or any other University in the world. Our philosophy is that we must produce a conducive or conducive teaching environment,” Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said.

Design and planning

University director Capital Projects and Infrastructure Niranjwan Chettiar, said the lecture theatre was a first of its kind for FNU.

“The Management and Council, in the latter part of 2017, agreed to look into the project with a design review to meet the university’s current and future requirements,” he said.

“We are also grateful to the Fijian Government, who brought life to the project through its provision of initial grants.

“The project was thoroughly reviewed and through proper project governance procedures, have led towards ensuring that we are standing here for the opening.”

He said the complex addressed student needs and requirements and provides a proper working environment for staff.

“Previously, staff were scattered all over the Campus in old infrastructure inherited from the former Nasinu Teachers College.

“Having staff in one location ensures that students gain access to academic services in a central place for all their academic and College requirements.”

FNU Vice-Chancellor

FNU Vice-Chancellor, Professor Lyn Karstadt said the university continued to provide affordable and accessible education to all Fijians.

“Our students are the primary reason we exist, and our duty is to provide them with the best possible experience that allows them to develop personally, morally, and spiritually as well as intellectually, and to thrive, learn, question and succeed as global citizens,” he said.

“This modern architecture will allow for the centralisation of some of the key services we provide to students that are related to their academic, finance and ITS needs.

She added that FNU continued to invest in high-quality student accommodation, in its campuses, ICT, facilities and student services.

Complex features

-450-Seat lecture theatre which features seats designed to be accessible by students with disabilities.

– The state-of-the-art lecture theatre has installed ceiling-based mics, which allow participants to speak without moving around with wired or wireless mics.

– The complex also houses the university’s student central, established on the ground floor to ensure students gain access to learning, ITS and Finance related queries.

Story By: inoke.rabonu@fijisun.com.fj