Universities must build cultural capital, says UniFiji

The University of Fiji has called for a broader and more visionary approach to higher education, saying universities must not only address workforce shortages but also help build the nation’s cultural and intellectual capital.

Speaking at the inaugural Vice-Chancellor’s Forum hosted by the Higher Education Commission Fiji, University of Fiji Vice-Chancellor Professor Shaista Shameem said higher education institutions must move beyond simply being providers of labour for the economy.

“Academic freedom is even more important in democratic societies. Universities are not only teaching students how to do things, but also how to think,” Ms Shameem said.

“Education should not only be seen as a social service. It is about building the country’s cultural capital as a form of economic productivity.

“We are moving from resilience to renaissance. It has to be a new way of looking at education more broadly in terms of what the nation needs.”

The recently released National Skills Gap Assessment Survey Report addresses the high number of skilled workers migrating overseas, particularly nurses, teachers and technical professionals.

Minister for Education Aseri Radrodro emphasised the importance of the Higher Education Commission Act in strengthening governance, accountability, transparency and quality assurance across higher education institutions.

“There is a need for universities to align programmes with the National Qualifications Framework to improve graduate employability and maintain consistency in qualifications,” Mr Radrodro said.