Collaboration between learning institutions and industry partners will allow students to display their innovation and contribute to productivity enhancement.

The Housing Authority of Fiji CEO, Ritesh Singh made these comments during the signing of a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Housing Authority of Fiji and Fiji National University (FNU).

“We are living in an era of digital transformation, where our company’s strategy is to implement technology to improve our business,” Singh shared.

“We also look forward to the innovation that FNU students would display and attain whilst working with us. It is important that we create diversity, equality, and inclusion in the workplace, which is very important for us.”

Singh added that the MoU serves as an avenue for other organisations to connect with FNU to create a workforce that not only meets but exceeded customer demands.

FNU Vice-Chancellor, Professor Lyn Karstadt said that the partnership would enable FNU students to be workforce ready.

“I am pleased to note that through the MOU, the Housing Authority of Fiji will be providing industrial attachment opportunities and work experience to our final year students in areas that include, but not limited to, Engineering, Surveying, Environmental Science and Management, Real Estate and Urban and Regional Planning in collaboration with FNU.”

Prof Karstadt said the partnership is in line with the University’s 2021-2026 Sustainability Plan to enhance capacity through training and development in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.

College of Engineering, Science and Technology (CEST) Dean, Professor Tibor Pasinszki said the MoU reflected the College’s plan to strengthen ties with industry stakeholders for the greater benefit of FNU students, industrial partners, and society.

“This MoU opens the door for industrial attachment opportunities for FNU students at the Housing Authority, as well as for other areas of support and cooperation,” Professor Pasinszki said.

“This agreement will also enable the Housing Authority of Fiji to participate in our Programme Advisory Committees, speak at our career forums from an industry perspective to final year graduating students, and feature in our guest speaker series for specified FNU programmes.”