US provides $733,000 grant for Uni Fiji’s Development of Entrepreneurial Skills Post-COVID-19 through Rural Aquaculture project

The University of Fiji today launched the Development of Entrepreneurial Skills Post-COVID-19 through Rural Aquaculture project that aims to assist thousands of students in building a sustainable income-generating business.

Speaking at the launch, the Acting Permanent Secretary for Fisheries Pene Baleninabuli says aquaculture is a priority development, especially now as it is part of Fiji’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

He says the pandemic has caused the loss of jobs for over 120,000 Fijians and a majority of whom are in the Western Division.

Baleinabuli says those that lost their jobs have resorted to the natural resource sectors such as agriculture, fisheries and forestry to earn a living for themselves and their families.

The Dean of the School of Humanities and Arts at the University of Fiji Professor Tupeni Baba says he is thankful there are many active researchers in various disciplines at the University.

He says there are biologists in the school who are putting this research to practical use and he is sure they will not be disappointed.

The project is supported and funded by USAID who have provided $733,000.