Speaker of Parliament Hon. Dr Jiko Luveni urged the Fiji National University (FNU) alumni to immensely give back to the institution for the purpose of further developing the learning capabilities of its current students.
While officiating at the university’s Alumni Homecoming Celebration and the Fiji School of Medicine, Nursing and Health Science’s 132 years of existence at Sukuna Park in Suva yesterday, Hon. Dr Jiko Luveni said it was crucial for graduates to recognise FNU.
“FNU is the first university in Fiji to dedicate a day to its graduates and this depicts the true nature of the institution as an education provider that cares about its graduates and their future,” she said.
“Many of us alumni have contributed greatly to the advancement of the communities, regions and countries we serve in the past years and this trend is evident today and will continue into the future.
“This is a reflection of the alma mater that assisted to shape us as we journey through life to what we are today.
“Some of us are enjoying successful careers and have given back to the university in many ways. There are some other ways in which we can aid development and this is through mentoring current students and giving guest lectures and seminars to them.
“Also, we can assist by hiring our students as interns or employees or offer some financial support and helping with scholarships to name a few.
Hon. Dr Luveni added that most of the alumni had a soft spot for the institution that they attended and this was indeed the opportune time for them to reconnect with the university, and cultivate and preserve relationships that will mutually benefit alumni, friends and FNU.
“For us graduate alumni in medicine, I believe we can do a lot more by providing local and regional support and also seek the support of the international community,” she added.
“As an alumnus, I congratulate the FNU management for its vision and sterling efforts of providing a practical education that is focussed on a knowledge-based society.
“FNU’s contribution to the higher education field, science, technology, research and scholarship, strength of our economy and to our security in many dimensions, is gratefully acknowledged.”
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