Good news for 10 higher education institutions that have received $103.3 million in tax dollars for operational grants from the Higher Education Commission Fiji under the 2023-2024 Government Grant Agreement.
The University of the South Pacific has received a grant of $33.53 million from the government after many years.
The previous government had stopped the annual grants to USP.
Meanwhile, University of Fiji has received $2.8 million, Fiji National University $41.46 million, Monash University $2 million, Pacific Polytechnic Limited $1 million, Corpus Christi $131,500, Fulton College $159,598, Monfort Technical Institute $473,583, Monfort Boys Town $861,417, Sangam Institute of Technology $614,411 and Vivekananda Technical Centre $296,100.
Higher Education Commission Fiji Director Dr. Rohit Kishore says the skills gap in the market is at a large scale and therefore much of the funds will go towards the TVET and nursing programs as people migrating are mainly from these sectors.
Dr. Kishore says as an independent agent, on behalf of the government it is their obligation to ensure that they fill the gaps left by the people who have migrated.
He says they assess the submission of the institutions on the cost of operating plans which they then recommend to the government.
He says this was only possible through government's support towards the higher education institutions.
He further says the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Professor Biman Prasad has been part of the education sector for a long time and understands the importance of such programs.
Meanwhile, the Chairperson of Commission, Steve Chand says the grant is to support the future workforce needs of the nation as the funding aims to boost the competitiveness of the Fijian workforce.
Chand says they remain accountable to the taxpayers who facilitate the funds as they will continue to ensure that they justify the investments done.
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