Volume 7 No. 52 24 December 2015

Kumar: World Karate Championship Medalist - Pg 1

Promising future for Naiyaca Campus - Pg 1

First 15 graduates from new beauty Academy - Pg 2

Kumar defies all odds to achieve her dream - Pg 2

2016 Enrolment Drive begins - Pg 3

ISSN 2303-9779

2016 Enrolment Drive Campaign is underway at all FNU Campuses Fiji WideCounseling Centres will be open at the following locations; CENTRAL:06 / 01/16 - 16/01/16 : Ivi TriangleNORTH:29/12/15 – 30/12/15 : Dreketi and Labasa04/01/16 – 09/01/16 : Taveuni and Labasa11/01/16 – 12/01/16 : Seaqaqa and Labasa13/01/16 – 14/01/16 : Nadogo and Labasa14/01/16 - 16/01/16 : Vaturova, Savusavu and Labasa

WEST: 14/01/16 - 16/01/16 : Sigatoka Town/FNU Sigatoka Centre12/01/16 -13/01/16 : Nadi Town /FNU, Nadi Campus15/01/16 -16/01/16 : Ba Town /FNU, Ba Campus07/01/16 - 08/01/16 : Tavua Town 05/01/16 - 06/01/16 : Rakiraki Centre

The Fiji National University Newsletter tracks media coverage of FNU events on a weekly basis. The following news can be found on the website which shows how FNU was featured in the media in the past week.

• University to introduce new programs

• 15 Graduate In Hair Beauty, Spa• Gill Takes Best Award• Campus works slow down

• His business dream• Sheenal Ready For Top Resort• Sharma, Kumar Head To Bebe

Spa• First batch of students graduate

• FNU students graduate in Labasa• Big Relief For Maharaj• Kumar Praised For Wining Bronze• Hussain Thanks Sisters, Parents• Couple Celebrates A Double

Simon Kumar has made Fiji and Fiji National University proud as he returned as a Bronze Medal Winner

from the World Karate Championship in New Zealand.

Originally from Vunika in Labasa, Mr Kumar was part of the historic Fiji team that represented thecountryasittookpartforthefirsttimeattheChampionship.

Mr Kumar was recognised for his huge achievement during the FNU Naiyaca Campus graduation in Labasa last week.

FNU had assisted him with travelling expenses and sports gear for the competition.

University Chancellor, Mr Ikbal Jannif congratulated Simon with the win saying he has made everyone proud.

“FNU is glad that Mr Kumar had used his talent and made full use of the sponsorship provided to him in a good way,” said Mr Jannif.

Mr Kumar said his achievement is for the glory of everyone who has supported him up to hisdefiningmomentatthecompetition.

“I have trained hard to prepare for the competition and I am proud of how far I went in the competition. Coming third after competing and to win bronze medal was everything I could have ever dreamt of,” said Mr Kumar.

He thanked and dedicated his win to his parents and hardworking instructor, Steven Brown and to FNU for sponsoring him.

SimonKumarisafirstyearstudentstudyingBachelor of Nursing with FNU School of Nursing in Tamavua Campus.

A total of 93 students graduated from Fiji National University’s Naiyaca campus in Labasa, marking an increase from last

year’s ceremony.More than 300 people gathered at the ceremony

to witness the special day of their family and friends.Six Post Graduate Diplomas, 36 Bachelors, 3

Higher Education Diplomas, 15 Diplomas and 33 Certificates were conferred at the ceremony lastWednesday.

Chancellor Ikbal Jannif said the University faced challenges in many areas, but it had grown to overcome the challenges and improved situations.

“We are also motivated by the Fiji First government’s look north policy as FNU is embarking on building world class facilities here at the Naiyaca campus.

“With this project, most students from the North will no longer need to travel to Suva, staying away from your loved ones and spending thousands of dollars on rent to complete your education for your dream career,” said Mr Jannif.

Meanwhile,UsaniaGill,customerserviceofficerat Lands Transport Authority Labasa office, washonoured with the 2015 Overall Best Performance Award.

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The ten month old Hair, Beauty and Spa Academy

of the National Training & Productivity Centre gradu-ated its first batch of stu-dents on Friday 18th De-cember on Nadi Campus.

The pioneering fifteen(15) students are the firstintake into the academy after it was established in February earlier this year.

NTPC Deputy Director - Management & Hospital-ity, Satendra Nair said the graduating students will go out as specialist into a growing industry.

“You should take pride in your work as you embark on building your careers. Remember the institution you represent and do you best,” said Mr Nair.

The 15 students have been trained by Senior Training Officer, SeemaAgarwal, who has more than twenty eight (28) years of experience in the field.

“We are grateful for

sharing our skills and knowledge to Fijian stu-dents and help them devel-op their career in the hair beauty and spa,” she said.

“The positive things we have learned here is that parents of these children have been very encourag-ing and supportive and this should be a lesson for all parents to be supportive of what their children focus are rather them pushing them to do something they would not like.”

Out of the 15 stu-dents, 11 graduated with Certificates of Attainmentin ayurveda facial mas-sage therapy, manicure and pedicure, waxing and threading, ayurveda body massage, session design, hair sculpture, makeup, hair colouring, two gradu-ated with Certificates ofCompletion in hair dress-ing tools, equipment prod-ucts and hairstyling while the remaining two gradu-ated with Certificate III inBeauty Therapy.

Being a mother does not mean that one is restricted to the kitchen but rather

aid as a source of empowerment to achieve what one dreams.

These were the words of Jotika Kumar a mother of an 11 year old girl who was one of graduates of the first batch of Bachelor NursingProgramme during FNU graduation.

Ms Kumar left school after completing Form 6 (Year 12) at Waiqele Secondary School due to family migration to Suva.

“In the struggle to make a home in Suva, education was the last thing my family could think about.

“Never give up and keep working towards you dream and one day God will put everything in the right place,” she said.

Getting married and becoming a mum did not stop Ms Kumar from pursuing her dream career.

She however could not enrol into the Nursing Programme as she did not meet the entry requirement.

Ms Kumar then enrolled in the

Certificate in Phlebotomy, whichserved as a prerequisite to the Nursing Programme.

“I am so thankful to FNU that they create opportunities for students who do not meet the requirement for specificprogrammes.Iamonlyableto complete my Education because FNU assisted in my dream career,” she said.

Ms Kumar dedicated this achievement to her husband who she says was the beacon of hope in all times that life tested her to the extremes.

“I thank my husband for supporting me during my exams doing all the house work and keeping the food ready when I needed to eat after hours of studying,” she said.

I urge all the mothers at home, not to take your motherhood as a hindrance but embrace this opportunity and join FNU to aspire, achieve and accomplish your dreams.

“I like the FNU slogan, FNU - My University! My Future!” she added.

Fiji National University has started with its 2016 enrolment drive Fiji - wide.

As the fastest growing University in the Pacific;academicandmarketingofficersare vigorously marketing its programmes as high school students ponder on where to go for tertiary education in the New Year.

As such, FNU has launched its 2016 enrolment drive campaign at various central areas around the country to ensure it reaches its potential students.

The target vary as we actively market our programmes to students fresh from high school and those already working for a chance to further their studies with Fijis very own national university.

Last week, FNU prominently took over the Ivi Triangle as college representatives, academic staff and marketing officerstooktimeoutfromofficeandcampusfora chance to assist students and parents in the heart of Fiji’s capital city.

Information packs were distributed with sound details on the different

programmes available and what one must consider and present should they enroll with FNU.

A team was also stationed outside the Tertiary Loans Scheme Board (TSLB) headquarters in a bid to meet students first hand when they visit TSLB forfinancialadviceandassistance.

Enrolment Drive Campaigns in the North continues and you can meet the team at the various locations for professional advice and more information on available programmes with FNU.

Ivi Triangle Enrolment Drive | 16 - 19 December, 2015

The FNU newsletter is prepared by University Communications. Send your articles to SPRO@fnu.ac.fj

• Assistant Professor in Veterinary • Assistant Professor in Creative Arts (

Graphics, Art and Design)

• TrainingOfficer-TrainingofTrainers• Training Assistant in Sewing Machine

Mechanic

• Lecturer II in Food & Beverage • Senior Lecturer in Architecture • ITTrainingOfficerIII

For job vacancies and career opportunities at Fiji National University, go to www.career.fnu.ac.fj New posts are logged each week for academic and non-academic vacancies, so check regularly for the opportunity that could lead you to a new life. Some of the positions currently available online:

Korovou Town Enrolment Drive | 21 December, 2015

Nausori Town Enrolment Drive | 21 December, 2015