Historic governance shift signals new era for FNU

Professor Unaisi Nabobo-Baba says a historic shift in governance and long-overdue cultural recognition signal a new chapter for Fiji National University and its role in national development.

Speaking at the International Day of Plant Health commemoration at the Koronivia campus, the FNU Vice Chancellor said the university’s recent placement under the Prime Minister’s Office was a landmark move that corrected past structural limitations.

She said the change would enable FNU to engage more effectively with all government ministries, aligning the university’s research and training with national priorities.

“This is a historic move,” she said, noting that universities globally often fall under the Prime Minister’s Office to strengthen coordination and national impact.

Ms Nabobo-Baba also pointed to another historic moment, the public acknowledgment of traditional land contributions that had gone unrecognised for more than 70 years.

She said the recognition reflected the university’s commitment to honouring indigenous contributions and cultural values that underpin its foundation.

The Vice-Chancellor said FNU was now better positioned to contribute to key sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, forestry and sugar, which remain central to Fiji’s economy and future.

She said the university stood ready to support Government through research, innovation and training across identified priority areas.

The event brought together government officials, regional partners and students to mark the importance of plant health and its broader role in food security, environmental sustainability and national wellbeing.