1. DR ALLEN IS NEW UNICEF REPRESENTATIVE TO FIJI – Dr Karen Allen, the newly appointed UNICEF representative to Fiji and 13 other Pacific Island Countries today presented her credentials to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola.
2. FOREIGN STUDIES ON OFFER FOR FIJIANS – Students and those wishing to do further studies and who meet the Public Service Commission (PSC) Scholarship criteria are invited to apply to study in foreign tertiary institutions next year.
3. CADETS REMINDED TO UPHOLD DISCIPLINE – 350 student cadets that passed out from Xavier College’s parade at Govind Park in Ba this afternoon were this week reminded on the significance of pass out parades.
4. YOUNG PROFESSIONALS FOR INTERNSHIP IN PHILIPPINES – Four graduates between the ages of 20 to 35 years old will have the opportunity for internship as young professionals in the Philippines beginning from September this year.
5. 5. FIJI’S FIRST TRADE POLICY FRAMEWORK TO ENHANCE TRADE AND INVESTMENTS – Fiji is currently working on its first Trade Policy Framework which would ensure a coordinated and a consistent approach of maximising the development gains, by enhancing our industries, investments, exports and trade.
1 DR ALLEN IS NEW UNICEF REPRESENTATIVE TO FIJI
Dr Karen Allen, the newly appointed UNICEF representative to Fiji and 13 other Pacific Island Countries today presented her credentials to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola.
Dr Allen has previously held distinctive positions within the UNICEF and has served in countries such as Pakistan and Uganda.
Dr Allen thanks the Government of Fiji for accepting her as the new UNICEF representative. She acknowledged the strong leadership role of the Government of Fiji in the region and looks forward to the continued partnership of Fiji in furthering the interests of women and children.
In accepting her credentials, Minister Kubuabola conveyed to her the support of the Fijian Government on the appointment. He also extended his personal invitation to Dr Allen to participate at the upcoming Pacific Island Development Forum (PIDF) meeting as the UNICEF representative.
UNICEF as an observer to the PIDF meeting is expected to deliver a statement at the forum next month.
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2 FOREIGN STUDIES ON OFFER FOR FIJIANS
Students and those wishing to do further studies and who meet the Public Service Commission (PSC) Scholarship criteria are invited to apply to study in foreign tertiary institutions next year.
The Commission’s permanent secretary Parmesh Chand encouraged eligible Fijians to take up this opportunity and to gain exposure.
“We are calling on those interested to send in their applications, in particular to those who meet the criteria but are unable to pay for studies overseas,” he said.
Mr Chand said the Overseas Scholarships that are offered will allow students to study in China, Thailand, India, Korea, Indonesia and Malaysia.
Applicants must be a Fiji citizen, must not hold a permanent residency status of another country, must not hold a passport of another country, must not be under any bonding arrangements and must submit offer letter from overseas tertiary institution once shortlisted for interview.
Scholarship forms can be accessed and submitted online from the Government website www.egov.gov.fj with the following relevant documents recent curriculum vitae, copies of certified FSLC/FSFE/Tertiary academic transcripts, a full extract (A4 size) of birth certificate, a recent passport photo, applicant’s statement on reasons for choosing field of study and training needs assessment for civil servants.
These documents are to be scanned and submitted with the online applications.
In addition, online applications can be accessed and submitted at the Government Service Centres based in Suva at the corner of Thomson and Scott Street, Nausori at Commissioner Central’s Office, Labasa at Katonivere Complex and Lautoka at the Commissioner Western’s Office, Tavewa Avenue.
For further enquiries applicants can contact the PSC Scholarship Management Unit at 61 Carnarvon Street on telephone number: 3316523/524 or Fax 3303703 and email schs-info@psc.gov.fj.
Applications for the PSC Overseas Scholarships will close on Friday August 16, 2013 at 4.00pm.
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3 CADETS REMINDED TO UPHOLD DISCIPLINE
350 student cadets that passed out from Xavier College’s parade at Govind Park in Ba this afternoon were this week reminded on the significance of pass out parades.
Officiating at the event, the Minister for Defense and Guest of Honour, Joketani Cokanasiga told the students that the event moulds discipline and courage.
“Continue to strive for excellence in whatever you do. A nation is not great because of its Government. A nation is great because of its people. Be leaders of your nation”.
“The Government has a vision of achieving a better Fiji for all however this vision cannot be achieved and sustained unless there is commitment to this vision.”
“This commitment must come from, not only the current generation, but more so, from the next generation that is you Cadets.”
The Minister urged the teenagers not to be swayed by peer pressure and other degrading activities.
“Most of you are reaching an age where you are in the process of finding yourself a place in our society, in a peer group, finding lifelong friends and making choices that will define the rest of your life,” Minister Cokanasiga said.
“By adhering to the principles of exemplary speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, I believe that wherever you find yourself, you will be able to provide leadership to those around you.”
(Editors -Link to the video of the speech can be accessed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?
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4 YOUNG PROFESSIONALS FOR INTERNSHIP IN PHILIPPINES
Four graduates between the ages of 20 to 35 years old will have the opportunity for internship as young professionals in the Philippines beginning from September this year.
Permanent Secretary, Public Service Commission (PSC), Parmesh Chand said the Colombo Plan Staff College for Technician Education (CPSC) in the Philippines is opening its doors to those who wish to join the CPSC Professional Internship Program for International Experience (PIPIE).
“PSC would like to encourage students of Fiji to make use of this prospect to work and learn in the Philippines. The duration of work will differ and may be for a period of six months to a year,” he said.
Mr Chand said the applications and criteria for applying to enter this program can be accessed from the PSC website www.psc.gov.fj or from the Training Division based at Nasese. Additionally, those wishing to apply can log onto the CPSC website address http://www.cpsctech.org .
A young professional applying for this program must be a Fiji citizen and hold at least a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized tertiary institution in the following categories: technical and vocational, education and training (TVET), information communication technology (ICT) or related fields, management, technology education, social science or allied areas, or with Diploma in Engineering/Technology with at least 3 years of professional experience in industry and/or TVET Institution.
CPSC is an inter-governmental human resources development organization mandated to assist in the improvement of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) systems of its member countries in the Asia and Pacific region through training, research and consultancy and information service.
The concept of PIPIE was formulated and developed in 2004 mainly to appreciate and develop awareness on CPSC’s multi-cultural environment as an inter-governmental international organization and to provide opportunity for young professionals to apply and relate principles, concepts and methods learned in their respective areas of studies.
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5. FIJI’S FIRST TRADE POLICY FRAMEWORK TO ENHANCE TRADE AND INVESTMENTS
Fiji is currently working on its first Trade Policy Framework which would ensure a coordinated and a consistent approach of maximising the development gains, by enhancing our industries, investments, exports and trade.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade permanent secretary, Shaheen Ali made these comments at the national consultation workshop of Fiji’s Trade Policy Framework organised in Suva today.
Mr Ali said the workshop was an opportunity for the private sector, policy makers and other interested stakeholders to contribute to the development of the country’s first Trade Policy Framework and achieving Fiji’s vision of improving its international competitiveness.
“The process adopted to formulate the Fijian Trade Policy Framework is a bottom-up approach and based on the ground realities and national priorities, including true reflection of the challenges and the opportunities for the Fijian economy,” Mr Ali said.
“The Framework will provide a single reference point for all stakeholders (including Foreign Investors), on Fiji’s roadmap towards a modern, inclusive and beneficial trade policy.”
Mr Ali said in order to be a “one stop” policy document on trade, the Framework needs to be holistic and encapsulate all segments and sectors of the economy.
The permanent secretary highlighted some key non-negotiable principles that the Framework will adhere to:
1. It needs to be consistent with the Fijian Government policies, e.g. the Charter and the Strategic Framework;
2. It must safeguard Fijian jobs and alleviate poverty;
3. It should seek to improve the living standards of all Fijians;
4. It should engender sound and stable fiscal and balance-of-payment status;
5. It should increase the supply and demand of Fijian-made goods and services, and
6. It should enhance the international position of the Fijian economy.
He added that the Framework would have an implementation matrix, summarising areas in need of financial and technical resources.
“Apart from outlining the immediate budgetary needs for implementing agencies, the matrix would also give our donor partners a credible assessment of Fiji’s aid for trade needs.
“The Framework will capitalise on the positive reforms undertaken by Fijian Government to improve Fiji’s business environment and trade related infrastructure, in order to position Fiji as the trade and economic hub of the Pacific Region,” Mr Ali said.
The first draft of the Trade Policy Framework will be circulated next month.
“Stakeholders will also be invited to comment on the first draft, after which a revised Framework will be produced and presented to the second National Workshop in September 2013. The finalised Trade Policy Framework will be submitted to the Government in October 2013. We also hope that this process will feed into the 2014 National Budget, which will take into account the immediate budgetary requirements.”
The Trade Policy Framework is being developed by the Industry & Trade Ministry with assistance from the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.
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