Author: aniket

The University of Fiji has inaugurated the Bharat Corner, officially opened by His Excellency Suneet Mehta, Indian High Commissioner to Fiji, strengthening academic collaboration, cultural exchange, and people-to-people ties between Fiji and India.

The Pro-Chancellor, Pandit Bhuwan Dutt Arya Ratna, welcomed the establishment of the Indian Corner at the University library, describing it as “a very special occasion in the history of the University of Fiji.”

He thanked the Government of India, noting that the initiative goes beyond the physical library doors and fosters cultural diplomacy and people-to-people connections. Emphasizing the significance of language and identity.

“A nation that forgets its language risks losing its identity, encouraging students to use the facility for both academic work and personal growth,’’ he said.

Indian High Commissioner, His Excellency Mr. Suneet Mehta, said the inauguration marked a significant step in strengthening educational and cultural ties between the two countries. He described universities as “temples of learning” where books and literature play a vital role in shaping critical, compassionate, and informed minds.

His Excellency, Mr. Mehta highlighted that the Bharat Corner would provide a permanent space for students to engage with India’s intellectual and cultural traditions while fostering dialogue, cross-cultural understanding, and collaboration.

Vice-Chancellor of the University of Fiji, Shaista Shameen highlighted the importance of the Bharat Corner in promoting learning, culture, and international collaboration. She described it as a valuable resource for students and scholars to explore India’s rich literary, intellectual, and cultural heritage.

‘This occasion and generous gesture on the part of the Government of India through His Excellency, the High Commissioner, strikes resonance with the University’s cultural and languages renaissance ambitions. Bharat Corner, established by the High Commissioner in the University’s Library, is a symbol of the enduring relationship between India and Fiji and represents a special privilege for the University of Fiji’, she said.

The establishment of the Bharat Corner reflects the growing partnership between the University of Fiji and the High Commission of India, built on shared values, historical ties, and enduring people-to-people connections. It is expected to serve as a vibrant hub for learning, research, and cultural engagement for students, staff, and the wider academic community for years to come.

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.

Aspiring doctors from the University of Fiji are gaining invaluable, life-saving clinical experience after being granted rare access to live and complex heart surgeries at PSH Hospitals, marking a major milestone in their medical training.

The University of Fiji (UniFiji) Year 4 and Year 5 MBBS students are currently participating in a two-week specialised cardiac surgery workshop at PSH Hospitals, where they are observing advanced heart procedures inside operating theatres. The programme is designed to enhance clinical competence by bridging the gap between classroom-based learning and real-world medical practice.

Vice-Chancellor of the University of Fiji, Shaista Shameen highlighted that this initiative reflects the University’s strong commitment to quality medical education and practical training, and emphasized the importance of early clinical exposure in shaping competent and confident future doctors.

The Vice Chancellor expressed the University of Fiji’s deep appreciation to the CEO of PSH, Mr Parvish Kumar for permitting UPSM students in the PSH surgical observation room and for allowing top surgeons to teach the University’s medical students who are clearly overjoyed with the exposure.

‘When UPSM was first established we would not have dreamt that such high-level training would be available for the medical students. We are profoundly grateful to all medical experts at PSH for this opportunity,” she said. “Perhaps these students will go on to become famous heart specialists themselves and benefit Fiji’s people in the future’.

Dean of the Umanand Prasad School of Medicine and Health Sciences (UPSM&HS), Dr Abhijit Gogoi, underscored the importance of strong clinical partnerships in strengthening medical education, noting that exposure to real hospital environments and advanced surgical procedures plays a vital role in students’ professional development.

“First and foremost, on behalf of UPSM&HS, we would like to sincerely thank our Vice Chancellor for facilitating the Memorandum of Understanding, which has enabled this important collaboration. We also extend our heartfelt appreciation to the Chief Executive Officer of PSH Hospitals, Mr Parvish Kumar, who has generously extended this opportunity and has consistently welcomed our students for hands-on clinical training programmes,’’ said Dr Gogoi.

He added that the two-week cardiac surgery workshop represents a significant academic achievement for UniFiji’s senior MBBS students.

‘’The two weeks of cardiac surgery workshops, including direct observation of procedures in the operating theatre, represent a significant achievement for our Year 4 and Year 5 MBBS students. This exposure to real-time surgical practice has greatly enhanced their clinical understanding, practical skills, and confidence, while strengthening our shared commitment to excellence in medical education and patient-centred healthcare’’.

The students are being guided by the Renowned Cardiothoracic and Vascular surgeon, Dr Sanjeev Khulbey, who welcomed the presence of UniFiji students in the operating theatre. He noted that this is a crucial stage in their medical journey, as the operating room is where textbook knowledge comes to life.

‘’Observing surgeries firsthand allows students to understand anatomy in a live setting, learn operating room discipline, and develop curiosity, responsibility, and clinical thinking that are essential for their future careers as doctors,’’ said Dr Sanjeev.

Aman Puran, a Year 5 MBBS student, described the exposure as eye-opening and inspiring.

“My experience at PSH Hospitals has been truly transformative. Before this, we had very limited clinical exposure. This programme has helped bridge the gap between our theoretical knowledge and real clinical practice. Seeing the anatomy firsthand and observing complex heart surgeries made everything we studied feel real. Watching and assisting in a cardiac bypass surgery was something we had only read about in textbooks. It was an incredible opportunity. It motivated us to study harder and strive for the level of precision and excellence required in the operating theatre,’’ he said.

The University of Fiji continues to focus on meaningful clinical experiences that prepare its medical students not only to pass exams, but to become skilled, confident, and compassionate doctors ready to serve their communities.