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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.

The University of Fiji proudly marked a significant milestone with the soft opening of its Suva Central expansion, an extension of the Samabula Campus, creating an accessible, vibrant academic hub in the heart of the city.

The new facility includes teaching spaces for key programs, a modern art gallery, and an innovative Enlightenment Shop designed to bring education and creativity closer to the community.
The ceremony featured Vice-Chancellor Professor Shaista Shameem, who delivered an inspiring keynote address that set the tone for the evening. She reflected on the historical significance of the building by highlighting its rich legacy of women’s empowerment, community education, and social progress in Suva.

Professor Shameem explained that the University’s Suva Central expansion was driven by the urgent need for additional space as student numbers continue to rise.
“This new Suva Central site gives us the opportunity to grow while remaining connected to the heart of Suva,” she added.

The Suva Central extension will host several new academic spaces. It will include postgraduate programs and Year 6 MBBS classes, placed close to CWM Hospital to support clinical learning.
Journalism and Media studies students will also benefit from the location, as it is near Parliament, government buildings, and major news areas. The University Art Gallery will move from Samabula campus to Suva Central to gain more public visibility.

The site will also offer new community spaces. A Book and Enlightenment Shop will provide books, merchandise, and useful resources for students and visitors.

The highlight of the evening was the address by Chief Guest Dr. Erica Myers Davis, Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (RSA), Manufactures and Commerce (Board Director, Oceania RSA). She praised the University of Fiji for its bold, community-focused vision and emphasized the global importance of Pacific-led innovation.
Dr. Erica also introduced the establishment of the Oceania Centre for Advanced Thinking and Renaissance, supported through a philanthropic initiative. The centre will be located at Suva Central and will focus on innovation, culture, creativity, and Pacific-led thought leadership.

“This is not just a centre. It is an invitation to imagine what a Pacific Renaissance could look like, rooted in history, culture, and our collective courage to create new futures,” she said.
She reflected on the building’s former life as a home for women’s movements and expressed that the university’s expansion feels like a continuation of that legacy.
“The women who built this place pushed boundaries, debated, organized, and quietly got things done. Their spirit remains in these walls,” she said.
The Pro-Chancellor Pandit Bhuwan Dutt of ‘Arya Ratna’ said:

“It is truly a momentous occasion to witness the expansion of the Suva campus. This extension will accommodate more students and programs like Year 6 MBBS, journalism, and the art gallery. Since its founding in 2004, the University of Fiji has grown through dedication, careful planning, and strong community support. I urge everyone—staff, students, and the public, to continue supporting the university, so it can thrive, stay true to its values, and provide quality education for generations to come.”

The University of Fiji thanks its Council, the Arya Pratinidhi Sabha of Fiji, its staff, alumni, partners, and the people of Fiji for their continued support. Together, Suva Central will become a centre of learning, creativity, and community engagement for generations to come.