Western Sydney University (WSU) recently hosted a delegation from Fiji, led by the Minister for Education, Aseri Radrodro, and the Chief Executive Officer of the Tertiary Scholarships and Loans Service (TSLS), Dr Hasmukh Lal.
The delegation met at the Chancellery on WSU’s Parramatta South campus, where Dr Lal and Prof. Linda Taylor, Pro Vice-Chancellor International, signed an addendum to the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between WSU and TSLS. This new agreement secures a fee waiver for three PhD candidates from Fiji, who will commence their studies in 2025 at WSU’s SoHCA, School of Science (SoS), and School of Social Sciences (SoSS).
This significant development followed months of negotiations between all parties involved, including a visit by Dr Asha Chand, Assoc. Dean International South Asia, to Fiji earlier this year, where she met with Fiji’s Deputy Prime Minister, Prof. Biman Prasad, and other key stakeholders.
A special mention was made of Ian Sebastian from WSU International and the deans of the three schools for their vital role in advancing this partnership. The PhD recipients are expected to return to Fiji upon completing their studies, where they will contribute to critical areas of development in the nation.
Following the MOU signing, the delegation had an engaging discussion with nearly a dozen TSLS-sponsored undergraduate students currently studying at WSU. The students shared their experiences and spoke highly of the scholarship programme and their time at WSU.
The meeting also provided an opportunity for the students to ask questions about future employment prospects in Fiji. The delegates were moved by the students’ gratitude and enthusiasm, highlighting the life-changing impact of education and international collaboration.
The delegation also included high-ranking members such as Ro Teimumu Kepa, the high chief of Rewa Province and chairlady of TSLS, along with trade consular Kulinio Bola Kaukimoce, TSLS coordinator for scholarships and higher education Shahita Chand, executive support officer Iowane Tiko, and education officer Setariki Loco.
Representing WSU at the meeting were Dr Nicolene Murdoch, Pro Vice-Chancellor Global Partnerships and TNE, Prof. Brian Stout, Pro Vice-Chancellor Learning and Teaching, Distinguished Prof. Anthony Uhlmann, Interim Dean of the School of Humanities and Communication Arts (SoHCA), Assoc. Prof. Alex Ling, Assoc. Dean Graduate Studies, Prof. Zhonghua Chen from the School of Science, Prof. Joseph Cheer from the School of Social Sciences, Associate Professor Litea Sewabu, and Prof. Gabrielle Drake, AD Engagement.
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