The University of Fiji has successfully completed its mid-cycle review by the UK’s Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA), reinforcing international confidence in the University’s academic quality and standards.
The review recognized the University’s strong progress since it was first awarded QAA Global Accreditation in 2023. As a result, the University of Fiji’s international accreditation has been extended until March 2028.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Shaista Shameem said the successful completion of the QAA mid-cycle review reflects the University’s strong institutional commitment to academic quality, accountability, and continuous improvement, while reaffirming international confidence in its programmes, systems, and student experience.
“The QAA process, as an international benchmark for University quality standards, is very difficult to go through and it took us a while to ensure we were completely up to speed with the 10 European Universities’ Standards and Guidelines to achieve them”.
She said there was not only a test for earning the QAA Badge, now placed next to the University of Fiji logo, but also a mid-cycle review to see whether UniFiji had continued to retain international accreditation standards established by QAA (UK) Global.
“Now our graduates are ahead of other universities in both the national and international employment market”, Professor Shameem said. She said it was a matter of pride for the University of Fiji to showcase the QAA Badge in all its official documents as well as in academic publications.
The mid-cycle review assessed the University’s progress against key actions identified during the International Quality Review (IQR) and considered any significant changes that could affect its continued alignment with the European Standards and Guidelines (ESG). The process included a desk-based review and an onsite visit, enabling reviewers to assess learning resource provision and institutional developments.
The review was conducted by a two-member QAA review team comprising Dr Julian Ellis and Mr Matthew Kitching.
The reviewers concluded that the University of Fiji has made satisfactory progress since receiving international accreditation and continues to meet QAA’s required standards. They recommended that the validity of the University’s IQR be extended to March 2028.
Executive Director Quality Assurance, Deepak Lal, said the outcome reflects the University’s strong alignment with QAA expectations, the effectiveness of its quality assurance and enhancement systems, and the collective commitment of staff and leadership to continuous improvement.
He added that the review confirms appropriate progress has been made against the conditions and recommendations of the initial accreditation, demonstrating growing maturity in governance, academic standards, and quality culture.
QAA accreditation signifies that an institution has undergone an independent and rigorous review and meets high international benchmarks for academic standards, teaching quality, governance, and student support. It provides assurance to students, employers, and international partners that qualifications awarded are credible, reliable, and globally recognized.
The successful completion of the mid-cycle review confirms the University of Fiji’s ongoing commitment to quality assurance, continuous improvement, and the delivery of a trusted, world-class higher education experience.
