The University of Fiji and Oceania Hospitals Pte Ltd today formalised a strategic partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), aimed at strengthening healthcare education, clinical training, and workforce development in Fiji.
The MOU marks a significant milestone in advancing collaboration between the academic and private healthcare sectors, with a shared commitment to developing competent, ethical, and future-ready healthcare professionals.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Fiji, Professor Shaista Shameem, said the agreement represents more than a formal document and reflects a shared promise to invest in the future of Fiji’s health workforce.
“This partnership reflects our collective commitment to strengthening healthcare training, supporting the next generation of clinicians, and contributing meaningfully to the future of medical and nursing excellence in Fiji,” Professor Shameem said.
Under the agreement, final-year MBBS and nursing students from the University of Fiji will gain hands-on clinical exposure at Oceania Hospitals, enabling them to apply classroom knowledge in a real-world healthcare environment. Students will learn from senior specialists and experienced nurses, while gaining exposure to modern healthcare systems and specialist clinical units.
Under the agreement suitably qualified specialists maybe appointed as adjunct professors or similar by the university.
Acting Chief Executive Officer of Oceania Hospitals, Mr David Qumivutia, said the partnership would provide students with critical clinical exposure while also benefiting the hospital through collaboration and talent development.
“This partnership opens the door to essential clinical exposure that helps shape competent, confident, and compassionate healthcare professionals,” Mr Qumivutia said.
“At Oceania Hospitals, students will gain hands-on experience in a real clinical environment, where classroom knowledge meets real-life patient care. Through this collaboration, we also benefit from fresh perspectives, opportunities for teaching and research collaboration, and the development of a strong pipeline for future healthcare talent.”
Professor Shameem noted that exposure to specialist services during the final stages of training plays a vital role in shaping students’ professional identity.
“These final laps of training are often the most influential in shaping a student’s identity as a future doctor or nurse. Through specialist exposure, students sharpen their clinical judgement, procedural skills, professionalism, and understanding of patient-centred care,” she said.
The partnership also creates opportunities for broader professional collaboration, including research, clinical audits, and academic engagement between the University and Oceania Hospitals, contributing to stronger health systems and evidence-based practice aligned with national health priorities.
Both institutions reaffirmed their commitment to patient safety, ethics, and professional standards, noting that all student training will be conducted under appropriate supervision and in line with regulatory requirements.
The collaboration is expected to strengthen Fiji’s healthcare workforce by preparing graduates to transition smoothly into professional practice across both public and private healthcare settings.
The University of Fiji expressed its appreciation to Oceania Hospitals for its leadership and commitment to supporting education and training, noting that the MOU is broad enough to accommodate additional mutually agreed initiatives in the future.
The partnership reflects a shared vision to empower the future healthcare workforce and contribute positively to national and regional health outcomes.
