$14M career centre to boost maritime and manufacturing skills
FNU, FIJI Water, and NPDL join forces to train youth for high-demand industries; PM Rabuka to officiate signing ceremony.
Wednesday 22 October 2025 | 18:00
The Pacific Centre of Maritime Studies in Laucala Bay, Suva.
Source: Fiji National University
The Fiji National University (FNU), through its Pacific Centre for Maritime Studies (PCMS), is set to sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with FIJI Water and Neptune Pacific Direct Line (NPDL) to establish a $14 million career centre.
The centre is aimed at training and upskilling young people for maritime and manufacturing industries.
The signing ceremony is scheduled at 10am on October 28 at the PCMS in Suva.
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FNU vice-chancellor Unaisi Nabobo-Baba said Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has been invited to be the chief guest.
“The agreement would help develop and equip PCMS for marine studies and manufacturing,” adding that further details of the partnership will be revealed during the official signing ceremony,” Ms Nabobo-Baba said.
The partnership is believed to involve a $14m investment into upgrading facilities, providing state-of-the-art training equipment, and supporting technical programmes that align with global maritime standards.
Representatives from The Wonderful Company, the Los Angeles-based parent firm of both FIJI Water and NPDL, are expected to attend the event.
Among them are Craig Cooper, executive vice-president of The Wonderful Company, NPDL marketing and communications manager Claire Wheeler and Singapore-based crewing manager for NPDL, Yadra Virendra.
