Australian ambassador Robert Cotton reaffirmed Australia’s commitment to the development of Fiji and other South Pacific nations when he spoke at the 1989 Telecommunication Training Centre (TTC) graduation ceremony.
In a report published by The Fiji Times on October 2 that year, he emphasised Australia’s dedication to enhancing telecommunication services across the region.
He said Australia was prepared to assist through bilateral programs, regional bodies such as the Forum Secretariat, and individual country support.
As a key player in the South Pacific, Australia aimed to help island nations keep pace with technological advancements in telecommunications.
The graduation ceremony saw 67 students complete their studies at the TTC, with programs ranging from one to three years.
The graduates included technical cadets, trainee technicians, and telephone operators.
Among the graduates, 20 students — comprising two Tongans, one Western Samoan, and 17 Fijians — received diplomas in telecommunications engineering.
Additionally, 17 Fijians earned higher technician certificates, while 12 regional students from Tonga, Kiribati, Western Samoa, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu completed the trainee technician’s course.
Seventeen radio and telephone operators — 13 Fijians and four Tuvaluans — also received certificates.
Funding for the training of regional students came from Australia, New Zealand, Pac Broad, and the Commonwealth Fund for Technical Cooperation, while Fiji students’ costs were covered by the Posts and Telecommunications Department and their sponsoring organisations.
Permanent secretary for Telecommunications, Emori Naqova announced plans to market the TTC’s programs to other organisations starting next year.
This move aimed to address the high demand for trained staff, which led to a significant staff drain.
