Honourable Speaker Sir
- I rise today to table for the second reading in this august House the Fiji National University Act 2026 (Bill No. 27 of 2026).
- Mr Speaker Sir, the passage of this Bill marks a significant milestone for the Fiji National University. It provides a modern legislative framework that will strengthen the University’s governance, management, enhance its operational effectiveness, and support its vision of delivering quality education, research, innovation, and community service for the benefit of Fiji and the wider Pacific region. It also strengthens university autonomy, accountability, academic excellence, and national development objectives.
- Mr Speaker Sir, further, the key principles reflected in the Bill include:
- Enhancing governance and accountability through a clear structure consisting of the Council, Senate, Vice-Chancellor and other statutory bodies, with defined powers, functions, and responsibilities.
- Strengthening FNU as Fiji’s national university by ensuring it continues to serve the country’s tertiary education, training, research, innovation, and workforce development needs.
- Promoting academic freedom and institutional autonomy, allowing the University to pursue teaching, research, free inquiry, and knowledge creation without improper interference.
- Supporting national development and productivity, including technical and vocational education, professional training, apprenticeships, and industry engagement through the National Training and Productivity Centre.
- Ensuring non-discrimination and equal opportunity in the University’s operations and activities.
- Preserving continuity and stability by protecting the rights of students, staff, assets, and existing institutional arrangements during the transition to the new Act.
- This legislation is not merely about an institution. It is about investing in our people, developing the skills and knowledge required for national development, and creating opportunities for future generations, strengthen governance, enhance institutional autonomy, protect academic freedom, alignment with higher education standards, support national development, improve industry and community engagement, provide legal certainty and continuity, and strengthens accountability on public resources. It reaffirms our collective belief that higher education remains one of the most powerful drivers of economic growth, social progress, and national prosperity.
- Mr Speaker Sir, I now highlight the merits of Bill 27 of 2026.
- Strengthens University Governance
Mr Speaker Sir, the Bill establishes a clearer governance structure with defined roles and responsibilities for the Council, Senate, Vice-Chancellor and other statutory bodies. This promotes transparency, accountability, and effective decision-making. Example:
- Part 3 on Officers of the University captures new structure whereby the Chancellor is now the Titular Head of State to ensure stability with ceremonial functions, Pro-Chancellor as an operational Chancellor who is assisted by the Deputy Pro-Chancellor. Their respective roles are now defined in the Bill for clarity, accountability, transparency and for decision making.
- Elimination of excessive power of the FNU Council. Section 10 stated that the FNU Council does not have separate power, so they act on the power vested on the University, unlike the FNU Act 2009 whereby the Council has separate powers, power of Council and University which allows micromanage and create instability to university management. Elimination of excessive power by ensuring accountability.
- Section 14 on Delegation, the Bill clearly demarcates the level of delegation of authority for clarity, accountability responsibility and efficiency of administration.
- Section 18 on Appointment of Members. With appointment of 2 internationally recognized academics and having the required criteria ensures that the Council skills composition is balanced that can advance the university objective to a greater level of governance, sustainability and productivity through advisory role and experiential wisdom.
- Section 79 of the Bill is about penalties whereby it has increased to $10,000 and or 12 months in prison for breaching FNU Act. Simply as deterrent and to strengthen governance practices.
- Enhances Institutional Autonomy
Mr Speaker Sir, the Bill reinforces the University’s ability to manage its academic, administrative, and financial affairs independently while remaining accountable to the people of Fiji. Strong autonomy is a key feature of internationally recognized universities.
Examples:
- Part 2 Section 4 defines the university as corporate entity with powers to purchase, borrow, and invest both locally or offshore to allow the university to finance its own affairs and objectives in the future. Allows the university to engage in public private partnership with business sectors for the best interest of the university.
- Section 64 (b)(c)(d) allows the university to solicit funds through gifts, donation, contribution, levies, fees, loan, investments and other lawful means to assist in the financing of university administration, academics and object of the university. This will allow the university to be less dependent on government for grants for operation and capital projects.
- Protects Academic Freedom
The legislation provides a framework that supports free inquiry, research, innovation and the expression of scholarly opinions, which are essential for academic excellence and knowledge creation.
Examples:
- Section 83 promotes and ensures academic freedom in the university by allowing students to question and test received wisdom, advance new ideas, express controversial and unpopular opinion and engage in public research and publication. It requires FNU Council to preserve and enhance it, protect the rights of students and staff to pursue academic freedom and require the government to act consistently with the promotion of academic freedom at FNU.
- Aligns FNU with Modern Higher Education Standards
Mr Speaker Sir, the Bill modernizes the University’s legislative framework, ensuring that FNU operates in accordance with contemporary university governance practices and international higher education standards.
Example:
- On Section 3(1) the Vice-Chancellor is also the President of FNU which easy collaboration and network with US Universities.
- Part 2, Section 4(1) denotes the continuity of the University both locally and abroad.
- Section 6 (a)(b)(c)(d)(e) …(i)(k) provides some of the objects of the University that support higher education standards.
These provisions ensure that FNU programs secure international accreditation for recognition and for employability of its graduates locally and abroad. Thus, to meet overseas market that the nation would benefit through remittance.
- Supports National Development
By strengthening FNU’s mandate in education, research, innovation, technical and vocational training, and professional development, the Bill enables the University to contribute more effectively to Fiji’s economic and social development.
Example:
- Section 6 (c)(f)(g) promotes research excellence and builds research capacity that contributes to national development priorities, economic growth, technological advancement and solutions to local, regional and global challenges also ensuring graduates contribute to the development of our nation.
The dual sector education provided by FNU enables FNU to work in support and collaboration with Ministry of Strategic Planning National Development & Statistics and all Ministerial sectors in providing research, academic advisory and human resources to further the development of our nation and meeting our Nation Development Plan and Vision 2050.
- Improves Industry and Community Engagement
Mr Speaker Sir, the Bill supports stronger collaboration between the University, industry, government, and communities, ensuring that graduates possess skills relevant to national and regional workforce needs.
Examples:
- Section 55 and 56 of the Bill is about National Training Productivity Center and Board that is responsible for all the TVET programs.
- Part 6 of the Bill is about levies and apprenticeship.
These two provisions have created avenues for continuous collaboration with industries over the years and for exchange of ideas, industry and market skills demand and expectation likewise practices for equipping students to ensure they meet market demands. FNU has been facilitating Training to Communities around Fiji and Pacific region for skills empowerment as part of engagement with the community.
- Provides Legal Certainty and Continuity
The legislation also safeguards the rights and interests of students, staff, assets, contracts, and academic programs, ensuring a smooth transition under the new governance framework.
- Strengthens Accountability for Public Resources
Mr Speaker Sir, as a national institution, FNU receives significant public investment. The Bill also enhances mechanisms for financial oversight, reporting, and responsible stewardship of public resources.
Example:
- Part 5 Section 65, the Council are responsible in ensuring that the University operate within the annually approved Budget and remain solvent.
- Part 5 Section 68, the University is under obligation to audit its financial account and submit the financial audited report to parliament.
These provisions in the Bill ensure that public funds are accounted for in a transparent and accountable manner by FNU. The FNU 2025 Annual Report has been submitted in a timely manner to the responsible minister and parliament, awaiting Cabinet Approval for tabling to parliament. For any mismanagement of funds in the past, it is under investigation by FICAC likewise moving into the future.
- Let us continue to work together to strengthen our national university and create a brighter future for all Fijians. Mr Speaker Sir, I have had the pleasure of presenting the principes and merits of the Fiji National University Bill 2026 for the consideration of this august house.
Thank you, Vinaka vakalevu and Dhanyavaad.
