A MEMORANDUM of Understanding (MoU) has been signed by the Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF) and the Tertiary Scholarships and Loans Service (TSLS) to facilitate the verification of employment history for sponsored graduates and any sponsored students who have worked in the country but have not completed their qualifications.
The partnership aligned with the shared commitment of both organisations to provide seamless and efficient services, they said in a joint statement.
“Under this agreement, FNPF will act as an advisory agency, providing essential employment history data to TSLS upon request,” they stated.
“TSLS will collaborate with FNPF to verify employment records for bond monitoring.
TSLS chief executive officer Dr Hasmukh Lal said this collaboration demonstrated the organisation’s dedication to strengthening bond monitoring systems and related processes for greater efficiency and transparency.
He said under the law, sponsored graduates were required to inform TSLS of their employment status within six (6) months.
“I urge graduates to comply to ensure a smooth process for bond monitoring and clearance,” Dr Lal said.
“Those who have completed their bond obligation are requested to obtain clearance from TSLS to have their names removed from the Immigration watchlist.”
FNPF chief executive officer Viliame Vodonaivalu said accurate employment data would help track graduates’ professional development.
“The fund is pleased to partner with the Tertiary Scholarships and Loans Service through this MoU, as we are happy to assist in upholding ethical standards regarding bond monitoring,” he said.
“We believe this partnership is beneficial for all parties, fostering a sustainable monitoring and evaluation structure that supports TSLS’s mission of providing access to quality education,” Mr Vodonaivalu said.
According to their statement, the MoU establishes a framework for continuous improvement and service excellence while maintaining the highest standards of confidentiality and data security.
NOTE: This article was first published in the print edition of the Fiji Times dated January 29, 2025.