MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

HON. ASERI RADRODRO

MINISTER FOR EDUCATION
EVENT: FIJI HIGHER EDUCATION COMMISSION
REBRANDING
WEDNESDAY 19TH JULY, 2023 @ 2.00PM.

Salutation:
● The Chairman of the Fiji Higher Education Commission,
Mr. Steve Chand
● The Acting Chairman for the Fiji Qualification Council

● The Director of Fiji Higher Education

● The Acting Police Commissioner,

● Members of the Fiji Higher Education Commission

● Members of the Fiji Qualification Council

● Representatives from the Corporate Entities

● Representatives of the Fiji Higher Education Institutes &

Universities
● Representatives of the media

● Invited Guests

● Ladies and Gentlemen

BULA VINAKA & GOOD AFTERNOON to you all.

BACKGROUND

1. We have gathered here today to celebrate a milestone

achievement and reflect on the journey the Fiji Higher
Education Commission (FHEC) has taken in the last 13
years. Re branding the logo of the organisation tells a
huge story of how you have taken a notch up in terms of
services and the vision that you have reset for the
betterment of the Higher Education Institutes here in Fiji.

2. The rebranding is a sign of reassurance that the

Commission will ensure that its mandated
responsibilities of registering, regulating and
safeguarding the national interest, the interests of
students and parents and the local higher education
providers are paramount at all times. Among other
responsibilities, FHEC should also ensure that it
 promotes the development of Fiji as a knowledgeable
society through a transparent well-established criteria for
allocation of government funds.

3. The Commission (FHEC), in looking after the nation’s

higher education sector, over the last 13 years, felt it was
time for rebranding. Rebranding also means to me as the
Minister for Education that the organisation is dedicated
and committed to providing transparent assurance that
programs developed by the institutions meet national
standards. Therefore, rebranding should be reflected in
all that you do as an organisation to bring about
confidence in your quality assurance process through
regular monitoring and evaluation in accordance to the
relevant policies and the legislation that govern your
operations.

4. This rebranding is also a strategic step and a

starting point of rising to a new level with the aim of
reshaping the higher education sector in alignment with
the new Strategic Plan of the Fiji Higher Education
 Commission and total commitment to implementation of
its core responsibilities and functions.

5. As a member of the international higher education

quality assurance networks, making it part of the global
village, this has moved Fiji to become the first Small
Island Developing State to ratify the Asia-Pacific
Regional Convention on the Recognition of
Qualifications in Higher Education, known as the Tokyo
Convention, and has a plan to later ratify the Global
Convention. Rebranding is therefore part of the process
of putting the house in order so that the FHEC can
effectively handle the pressure of being part of the global
higher education village.

6. Other small Pacific island states take their cues from Fiji
in terms of higher education development. Hence, the
change undertaken by the FHEC will also motivate our
small island neigbours to take bold steps to improve,
enhance, and upgrade policies and processes. Fiji has
served as an example of how higher education ventures
can succeed in fragile states with limited resources –
 something which other small islands can certainly learn
from and implement.

7. We are excited to witness the impact of the discussions

and conclusions that will be produced in the Education
Summit, in tandem with the FHEC’s new outlook. As the
sector continues to evolve, we believe the Summit’s
outcomes will consolidate FHEC’s plans in charting the
course for the future development of higher education in
Fiji.

8. With the Launch of the new brand, it is encouraging to

note that the Higher Education legislation is also
currently under review. The legal framework should also
be fit for purpose to make rebranding meaningful and
effective as the long-term success of the new brand is
closely tied to these legislative reforms and should
include robust measures that promote the diversity and
quality of academic offerings, strengthen institutional
governance, and ensure that the sector operates in a truly
accountable and financially responsible way.
 GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
9. Strategically, the government is placing heavy emphasis
on TVET in Fiji. The FHEC will be instrumental in
promoting this initiative. I believe that the FHEC
rebranding will constructively push this TVET agenda as
this is the alternative viable option for our students who
struggle with academic subjects. The MoE looks
forward to a collaborative approach. TVET holds the
key to training the critical mass to help us address the
current concern of the exodus of skilled professionals
from Fiji.

10. We also look forward to the completion of the

National TVET Policy. With the government’s
investment in TVET and you, as the arm of the education
sector responsible for its implementation, should be
commended for not compromising quality in all your
quality assurance deliverables so that Fiji can remain
competitive in the regional & global labour market in
terms of our output.
11. The Coalition government has invested in the
quality assurance aspect of the education sector with the
allocation of $103.3m for the Fiji Higher Education
Commission. As your Minster for Education, I also
have expectation and confidence in the organisation that
you will ensure that all higher education institution
courses and programs offered under the Fiji Qualification
are benchmarked to the best research practices in
Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore to name a few.
This ensures that our Fijian tertiary students will also get
due recognition and accreditation to similar programs
that are offered in institutions and universities in the
global village.
REBRANDING

12. It is crucial for the Commission to ensure that its

branding reflects the needs and interests of the people it
serves in Fiji. This means that the Commission must
stay up to date on current trends and societal and
economic changes in order to better understand how its
brand can be used to connect with its target audience
effectively and emotionally. That emotional connection
 is important because stakeholders can place their trust
and confidence in the Commission.

13. The new brand should also represent the values of

accountability, integrity, respect and diversity of the
Education Sector and serves as a solid foundation for
your ongoing success as an organization.

14. Your new brand reflects who you are today and
symbolizes your future. We anticipate that the new brand
will assist in promoting FHEC’s visibility and the vision
and mission of the organization.

CONCLUSION
15. I hope that the new logo will be a symbol of your
commitment to excellence and providing quality
services, while inspiring creativity and innovation.
16. With optimism and trust, I wish the Fiji Higher
Education Commission the best to live and walk the
vision and symbol of the organisation you represent as
launched and showcased to the world today.

VINAKA VAKALEVU & DHANYAWAAD.