Higher Education Commission sounds alarm over unregistered agencies sending Fijian students abroad

The Higher Education Commission Fiji (HECF) is primarily concerned about the welfare of Fijian students studying abroad, not just their money.

Director Eci Naisele addressed the issue of unregistered student recruitment agencies operating in Fiji, which have been sending students overseas without proper oversight.

Student recruitment agencies act as contact persons or intermediaries that help overseas educational institutions find and enroll Fijian students, but many have been operating without required licenses.

"We are worried about not only the money, but more critically the welfare of our students studying abroad," Mr Naisele told this masthead on Tuesday.

"If they're not well comforted, they'll come back to us. Who took them overseas and why is it they're not well taken care of."

The commission last week issued a public notice directing all unauthorised agencies to immediately cease operations or face enforcement action including fines, closure of premises, and prosecution.

Mr Naisele said the agencies have been operating for five to seven years, recruiting students for overseas institutions primarily in Australia and New Zealand without proper registration under the Higher Education Act.

"This is actually people being moved overseas to study abroad because they have the money," he said.

The commission has held meetings with agencies in Suva and Nadi to help them register properly.

"This is basically a new space altogether, skills of education. Education has shifted for quite a few years with Artificial Intelligence and technology," Mr Naisele said.

Students concerned about recruitment agencies can visit the commission's offices in Labasa, Lautoka, or at Gorrie Street in Suva for advice, or contact the commission by telephone on 3100031 or email executiveoffice@hec.org.fj.

Commission chairman Steve Chand is working to establish a registration process for legitimate agencies.

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