A week after resigning from Parliament, former health minister and FijiFirst Opposition parliamentarian, Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete, has joined the Lautoka-based University of Fiji as Professor of Surgery.
University vice chancellor, Professor Shaista Shameem said Dr Waqainabete had been appointed on a one-year contract at the Umanand Prasad School of Medicine and Health Sciences.
“He has filled the vacancy left by Professor Fred Merchant who had to leave his position as Professor of Medicine suddenly due to a family emergency,” said Prof Shameem.
“We are delighted and relieved that our final year medical students will have an eminent and experienced surgeon such as Dr Waqainabete to cover their surgery requirements.
“As vice chancellor I was at my wits end on that gap before he decided to join us so I’m extremely pleased.
“Our medical students need all the senior mentoring they can get as the best education delivery is our top priority at the University of Fiji. With Dr Waqainabete they will certainly get that as he knows the local medical scene well — it’s challenges as well as the upside.”
Dr Waqainabete has posted on his Linkedin account that he is now employed at University of Fiji as Professor of Surgery.
