Salutation
- Cabinet Ministers and Members of Parliament,
- Your Excellency, Ambassador Kwon Young-seup, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Fiji,
- Country Director of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA),
- Chancellor and Chair of the Fiji National University – Council – Dr Adi Alisi Talatoka Vudiniabola,,
- President of the Fiji National University – Professor Unaisi Nabobo-Baba, Vice-Chancellor,
- Members of the Diplomatic Corps,
- Representatives of Development Partners,
- Distinguished Guests,
- Ladies and Gentlemen.
Ni Sa Bula Vina’a and a very good morning to you all.
Firstly, I would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which we gather today. Ki Matanikutu, vua na Gone Turaga na Qaranivalu. I pay my respects to their Chiefs, past and present, and emerging leaders and I acknowledge their enduring role within the Vanua. We are grateful for their custodianship, which allows us to convene for this important occasion and celebrate this important national milestone.
Introduction
- It is a pleasure to join you today as we mark the groundbreaking of the KOICA-funded Simulation Centre at the Fiji National University’s College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences. This occasion represents an important milestone in the longstanding partnership between Fiji and the Republic of Korea. It reflects our shared commitment to advancing healthcare education, institutional excellence, and sustainable development.
- Today, we do more than breaking ground for a new facility. We lay the foundation for a stronger, more empowered and more resilient future. Through this partnership, we are investing in the knowledge, skills, and capabilities of our people, strengthening our capacity to respond to future health challenges and advancing a model of sustainable development that will benefit Fiji and the wider Pacific region for generations to come.
Fiji–Republic of Korea Cooperation
- Today marks an important milestone in the partnership between the Governments of Fiji and the Republic of Korea, the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), and the Fiji National University. It reflects our shared commitment to investing in people, strengthening institutions, and advancing national development through education and innovation.
- As Fiji continues to strengthen its health sector, it is imperative that our training institutions are equipped to prepare healthcare professionals to meet the evolving health needs of our nation.
- This occasion is the culmination of several years of planning and collaboration. I acknowledge the officials, technical experts, and institutional leaders from both Fiji and the Republic of Korea whose dedication and partnership have brought this important project to fruition.
- The Simulation Centre stands as a tangible expression of the enduring friendship between our two countries and of our shared vision for a healthier and resilient peoples.
Empowering the Next Generation of Health Professionals
- The Simulation Centre is a herculean step in the future of healthcare education in Fiji. It will provide students with access to a modern learning environment where clinical skills can be developed and refined before being applied in real-world settings.
- Beyond the facility itself, this initiative is about empowering future healthcare professionals with the knowledge, confidence, and practical experience required to deliver the highest standards of care. It will also expand curricula, enhance academic rigor, and promote the exchange of knowledge and expertise between Fiji and the Republic of Korea.
- In doing so, this partnership invests not only in infrastructure, but in people, systems and institutions, and the long-term advancement of Fiji’s healthcare workforce.
A More Resilient Health System
- As Fiji’s healthcare needs continue to evolve, so too must our capacity to respond. Building a resilient health system requires more than expanding the healthcare workforce; it requires sustained investment in the quality of education, training, and professional development that drives the delivery of quality service.
- Resilience is built through preparedness, capability, and adaptability. Facilities such as this Simulation Centre will strengthen the clinical competence and confidence of future healthcare professionals.
- This investment has launched Fiji’s healthcare services on a trajectory of excellence. Our institutional capabilities must sustain this step up. Our responsibility to our people and our role in the region requires nothing less.
Sustainable Development through Education and Innovation
- Today’s groundbreaking represents more than the commencement of a construction project. It is a strategic investment in the capabilities, institutions, and partnerships that will support Fiji’s development well into the future.
- Fiji’s National Development Plan 2025-2029 and Vision 2050, signals that long-term progress will be shaped by the strength of our human capital, the quality of our institutions, and capacity to harness innovation in addressing national priorities. Today’s milestone reflects that vision and reinforces our commitment to building a capable and future-ready health sector.
- It also demonstrates Fiji’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals, relating to health, education, and partnerships. Through this Fiji and the Republic of Korea cooperation this project highlights how international partnerships strengthen national capacity while contributing to broader sustainable development outcomes.
- Importantly, the impact of this investment will extend beyond Fiji’s shores. As a regional centre for higher education and skills training, Fiji has a longstanding role in supporting the development of the Pacific workforce.
- This Simulation Centre will strengthen that contribution. It injects new impetus to advancing our shared aspiration for a peaceful, resilient, and prosperous Ocean of Peace, where human well-being is at the centre of our development goals.
FNU’s Strategic Role
- Fiji National University plays a vital role in advancing our national development priorities through education, research, and professional training. Its contribution to developing the skilled workforce required by our economy and public services is of enduring national importance.
- This role is particularly evident through the College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, which serves as a cornerstone of healthcare education and workforce development in Fiji. The College’s contribution extends beyond the preparation of health professionals, it strengthens the capability and effectiveness of our broader health system.
- This project will further strengthen that contribution, enhancing the University’s ability to prepare future healthcare professionals and support the advancement of healthcare education in Fiji and across the Pacific region.
Government’s Commitment and Vision
- Government remains steadfast in its commitment to strengthening the capabilities and institutions that will shape Fiji’s future. Investments such as this reflect our enduring belief that the prosperity of our nation rests upon the strength of our people.
- By investing in excellence in healthcare education and workforce development, we are laying the foundations for a healthier, resilient, and prosperous Fiji for the future.
Conclusion
- Today stands as a testament to the enduring friendship between the Republic of Fiji and the Republic of Korea, and to our shared commitment to investing in people, institutions, and the future.
- On behalf of the Government and people of Fiji, I extend our sincere appreciation to the Government of the Republic of Korea, the Korea International Cooperation Agency, and the Fiji National University for their partnership and vision in bringing this important initiative to fruition.
- As we mark this milestone, we do so with confidence that its legacy will be reflected in stronger institutions, a more capable health workforce, and improved outcomes for Fiji and the wider Pacific region.
- As we reflect on the significance of this occasion, we are reminded that the true purpose of education is not merely to impart knowledge, but to create the conditions in which individuals can learn, develop, and realise their full potential. This Simulation Centre will provide such an environment, enabling future generations of healthcare professionals to acquire the skills, confidence, and judgement required to serve Fiji and the Pacific with confidence.
- It is therefore my privilege to officially mark the groundbreaking of the KOICA-funded Simulation Centre at the Fiji National University’s College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences.
- Vinaka Vakalevu, Dhanyavaad and Thank You.
- May God bless you all and may God bless Fiji.
[END]
