A TOTAL of 242 students were part of the first cohort to graduate from the newly-established Oceania Institute of Technology (OIT) yesterday.
Their programs featured vocational literacy and numeracy, tourism and hospitality, performing arts, women in small business, and community tailoring
The institute’s group CEO Hasmukh Lal said the institute was established to meet the evolving needs of communities in Fiji and the Pacific, and human resource needs of the private sector.
“The focus of OIT will be on quality and relevance, and from next year we’ll be starting with our certificates, diplomas, and advanced diplomas in the areas of tourism and hospitality, education and arts, technology and engineering, and also business and commerce,” he said.
Mr Lal said there are plans to offer a bachelor’s program in two years based on industry needs.
“The micro qualification grant was something that I, when I was a CEO for Tertiary Scholarships and Loans Service, decided four years back in the areas of tourism, automotive, and construction.”
Mr Lal said the micro qualification grant, funded by the Fijian Government through the TSLS, is providing a pathway to entrepreneurship.
Officiating as chief guest, Samuela Tuidraki, a representative of the Tui Nadi, urged the Government and training institutions to work with community leaders to encourage more students to enrol.
Mr Tuidraki noted that 84 per cent of the graduating students are females.
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