Pacific Polytech is a fully registered higher education institution under Fiji law and met all academic, governance and financial requirements before receiving government grant funding, the Higher Education Commission Fiji (HECF) has confirmed.
HECF director Dr Eci Tekuru Naisele said the institution “attained full registration in August 2025, having previously operated under provisional registration from November 2022”.
“Pacific Polytech has met all academic, governance, and financial requirements in accordance with the commission’s registration criteria,” Dr Naisele said.
He said full registration was one of nine HECF grant qualification criteria.
“As is one of the nine HECF grant qualification criteria, institutions must be fully registered.
“Pacific Polytech had its grant approved and disbursed with the approval of the Ministry of Finance.”
Dr Naisele said institutions applying for government grants were normally subjected to strict vetting by the commission.
“In this instance, however, the said process was undertaken directly by the Ministry of Finance.
“In the course of its regulatory work, the HECF identified compliance gaps in Pacific Polytech’s programmes, registration, and funding processes, many of which have since been addressed.
“With regard to the recommendation of the Standing Committee on Social Affairs for an investigation on PPL funding, the HECF will respect the decision as it is a recommendation made through a Parliament process.
“The HECF assures taxpayers and students that it has acted independently and strictly within its regulatory mandate in all matters concerning Pacific Polytech.
“The commission’s actions and decisions are guided by the Higher Education Act 2008 and its established quality assurance and compliance frameworks.”
He said the commission had powers to penalise non-compliant institutions.
“As the national regulator of higher education in Fiji, the HECF is empowered to issue directives and impose penalties on institutions found operating without registration or failing to meet compliance standards.
“Such institutions may be shut down, fined, or prosecuted under the provisions of the Higher Education Act 2008.”
Strong accountability mechanisms were also in place for public funds.
“The HECF also maintains a strong focus on accountability and transparency in the utilisation of government grants.
“Through its Grant Management System, the commission tracks, monitors, and reports on both financial expenditure and programme outcomes.
“All funded higher education institutions are subject to quarterly monitoring through acquittal reports, which are reviewed by the Ministry of Education before the disbursement of subsequent funds by the Ministry of Finance.”
