A TOTAL of 163 students from the Australia Pacific Training Coalition in Fiji graduated with qualifications from 17 technical and vocational programs yesterday.
While officiating at the graduation ceremony held at the University of the South Pacific’s gymnasium yesterday, director of Fiji Higher Education Commission (FHEC) Dr Nikhat Shameem said the graduates also received awards in international skills training and key management skills set program.
“There are 69 women who in this ceremony are receiving certificates in traditional male trades in our country, you are breaking the glass ceiling for women and you must stand tall in your achievements,” she said.
Dr Shameem said more than 4000 Fijian nationals had graduated from APTC since its establishment and out of these more than 1600 were women.
She urged the graduates to put their internationally recognised qualifications into practice.
She said FHEC believed that with strong partnerships, they could build on an educated and globally competitive Fiji.
“We do this by working with the improvement and development of higher education in Fiji so that our people have the best opportunity to get qualification in areas which will support Fiji’s economy.”
