The University of Fiji today marked an important milestone with the formal installation of its new Chancellor, the Hon. Justice Filimoni Jitoko, who also serves as the the Speaker of Parliament. The installation ceremony, which included traditional formalities, including robing, took place during the Graduation ceremony. The University graduated 304 students from across its faculties, with more than half the graduates being female.
In his inaugural address to students, staff and guests at the Saweni Campus, the newly installed Chancellor, the Hon. Filimoni Jitoko described the graduation as a proud moment for all by acknowledging graduates, their families, and the University for its efforts in ensuring only the best education would be provided to students that attended the University.
“Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today,” he said, quoting Malcolm X as he urged graduates to see their degrees not as an endpoint but “a blueprint, a roadmap for service to family, community, Fiji, the Pacific, and beyond.”
The Chancellor said that UniFiji graduates had been trained not only to secure jobs, but to solve real problems, from climate change to digital transformation, governance, and economic development.
He also highlighted the exceptional achievements of UniFiji’s academic Schools and Centres including international collaborations, research excellence, regional engagement, recognition in global rankings, strengthened industry partnerships, and growing global mobility opportunities for students.
In her speech the Vice-Chancellor Professor Shaista Shameem welcomed the newly appointed Chancellor, noting that as Speaker of Parliament and a former judge, Justice Jitoko brought immense experience, leadership and dignity to the role.
“The University community is very fortunate indeed to have someone of his calibre as our head,” she said.
Professor Shameem reaffirmed UniFiji’s commitment to innovative higher education, explaining the University’s unique educational philosophy grounded in Drua/Gurukul, Heutagogy, and its strong foundation in human values.
She reminded graduates that their path to the future was to be paved with public duty.
“Privilege entails responsibility. Your qualification must contribute to public duty to think imaginatively, to serve, to be activists for good, and to remain humble,” she said.
Professor Shameem spoke warmly to the graduands, acknowledging the determination, sacrifice and resilience that defined their journeys:
“When I see you lined up in your beautiful clothes, with your families proudly beside you, I feel I am back there with you, in wonder that I finally made it.”
A total of 304 students graduated today comprising 204 females and 100 males, representing programmes across law, medicine, business, science, technology, humanities, education, and iTaukei studies.
The Chancellor noted the significance of the strong female presence, calling it “a reflection of growing leadership of women in higher education and in fields traditionally dominated by men.”
UFSA President Rodney Kolinisau reflected on the deep bonds formed on campus and the significance of this milestone:
“Graduation at the University of Fiji isn’t just an important date on the calendar it’s a special moment for our student community. Today we’re really just saying bon voyage to our brothers and sisters we’ve shared so much with, the laughs, the lunches, the late study hours, the victories and the heavy days.”
He acknowledged the mix of emotions that come with farewells, while reminding graduates that bigger opportunities await:
“It’s kind of bittersweet because you feel the goodbye, but you also know they’re stepping into a future that’s opening wide for them, some will become doctors, nurses, teachers, scientists, entrepreneurs, lawyers, managers, policy makers and so many other things that will make us proud.”
The pro-Chancellor of the University Pundit Bhuwan Dutt described the occasion as a landmark, not only for the University but also for the nation. He mentioned the vision of the Arya Pratinidhi Sabha in establishing a university with the human values foundation as a core philosophy of the University including ethics, integrity, kindness to others and decency in all that the University stood for.
