This Press Release provides an update on our students studying in Fiji at the
University of the South Pacific (USP) and the Fiji National University (FNU), in
light of the recent resurgent of Covid-19 community cases. A total of 84 Samoan
students are registered at the two main universities.
After 364 days since the last Covid-19 case was recorded in the community on
18 April 2020, Fiji confirmed its first community case this year as a result of a
breach in protocol at a Nadi quarantine facility. This has resulted in the closure of
all schools in Fiji including tertiary institutions from 21 April 2021. The Fiji
Government is working overtime to contain the outbreak in the main island of
Viti Levu and has established 6 major lockdown containment areas, including
Suva.
The Samoa High Commission is monitoring closely the overall situation in Fiji to
try and minimize any negative impact of the lockdown on our students’ studies
and their overall wellbeing. There is regular contact with the students via the
email and messenger platforms to draw to their attention pertinent information
and developments that they must be made aware of, based on official Fiji
Government Press Releases, offer of some parental advice, words of
encouragement and a reminder to obey and comply with the lockdown
requirements in place for Suva, for their own wellbeing and safety especially
during this challenging period.
The High Commission also works closely with the USP and FNU management so
that any decisions taken that have a bearing on our students’ studies and time in
Fiji are shared with the students promptly. Both universities have recently
approved a number of measures to allow for the continuity of quality learning
and teaching for all students, and to ensure they are adequately supported. The
Covid-19 health restrictions are also being strictly observed inside the campuses
such as wearing mask, social distancing, no-gathering policy and the mandatory
download of the Covid-19 Fiji Care app to help with contact tracing.
The USP and FNU have placed the welfare and safety of regional students as a
top priority during this lockdown period. As of now, there are no reports of any
of our students been found or suspected to have the Covid-19 virus in this latest
outbreak.
University of the South Pacific (USP)
USP was on extended mid-semester break of 3 weeks and only resumed classes
remotely (online) today, Monday, 10 May 2021. The University has implemented
other support programmes to be delivered online such as access to library
materials, personal counselling as well as careers and entrepreneurship sessions.
The University is undertaking discussions on its contingency plan should the
lockdown continue to be extended and affect the rest of the semester.
All USP Fiji campuses will continue to close during the lockdown to visitors except
for essential staff and on-campus students. Off-campus regional students are
allowed to enter the campuses only if they need to visit the USP Medical Centre
during week days.
Fiji National University (FNU)
Following the 22 April 2021 announcement of the suspension of face-to-face
teaching and instructions, the FNU commenced the delivery of courses and
assessment online from 26 April 2021. All Post Graduate Regional students at the
College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences were also directed not to
attend to clinical trainings and practical at the CWM Hospital.
The University has not yet revealed its contingency plan should the lockdown
continue to prolong.
To parents and families of Samoan students in Fiji
Please be assured that our office is working collaboratively with the Fiji
Government, the USP and FNU management teams to ensure that our students
are safe and looked after well. But even with the best of effort and genuine
intentions and our part, we can only do so much given the constraints imposed
by the COVID-19 protocols currently in place which we must fully respect,
support and adhere to.
Samoa High Commission,
Suva, FIJI
Monday, 10 May 2021.