Volume 2 No. 38
20 September 2011
FNU in the Media
THIS WEEK
The Fiji National University Newsletter
tracks media coverage of FNU events on
a weekly basis. The following are links to
how FNU was featured in the media in the
past week.
Arts festival in the pipeline
http://www.fijitimes.com/story.
aspx?id=181152
Graduates acquire global certification
http://www.fijitimes.com/story.
aspx?id=180974
Mental health cases up
http://www.fijitimes.com/story.
aspx?id=180813
Survey to determine national Oral
Health
http://www.fiji.gov.fj/index.
php?option=com_content&view=article
&id=4885:survey-to-determine-nationaloral-health-status&catid=71:pressreleases&Itemid=155
5 local youths to go to India
http://www.fijivillage.com/?mod=story&id
=1909113e3cf4713a385ae0bae707fd
In this issue
FNU to launch film studio Pg 1
New NTPC boss brings experience,
enthusiasm Pg 2
NTPC teaming with APO on eco tourism Pg 2
Fat, unfit and unwell Pg 3
Grant for research project Pg 3
Energising Fiji - Renewably Pg 3
City side sweeps sports day Pg 4
Symposium on renewable energy
technologies Pg 4
JOB VACANC
IES
For current JOB
opportunities please visit
page 4
F N U to l a u n c h f i l m s t u d i o
M
ORE than 50 locally-produced
documentaries, short films and
original music compositions
will be showcased at this year’s Fiji National
University Film and Music Festival.
To run from September 26 to October 8
at FNU’s Raiwai Campus, the festival will in
its third year running, feature the best of films
and music produced by Fijians living in Fiji
and her diaspora, and will coincide with the
launch of FNU’s ambitious film studio project
Dean of the College of Humanities and
Education Dr Eci Nabalarua said the idea
of hosting a music and film festival was to
identify and acknowledge local talent in both
film and music.
Speaking to reporters at a press conference
at Raiwai Campus this week, Dr Nabalarua
said hosting the film and music festival
acknowledged the potential that Fiji and FNU
had to offer.
The music aspect of the festival was
primarily to encourage the production and
promotion of music and songs composed by
local musicians and song writers.
She said a team of experienced staff from
both departments had been working very hard
to showcase the best talents at FNU.
Dr Na b a l a r u a s a i d t h e F N U Fi l m
Na Vuli Vinaka Sa Vuni Sautu
Education is Wealth
and Music Festival 2011 would provide a
wholesome film and music experience and
would also help discover and promote new and
emerging film and musical talent in Fiji.
“FNU as an academic institution offers
programmes for music and film right here at
our Raiwai Campus,” she said.
“We are the only ones that offer film and
television in terms of academic programmes in
the country.
“This is the third year running for the Film
and Music Festival and it’s going to be exciting
as it coincides with the opening of our new film
studio.”
Dr Nabalarua said Raiwai had been
earmarked to become the epicentre for
creativity.
She added it had been the intention of the
University to convert the Raiwai Campus into
a studio city.
“Raiwai has a lot of potential for growth.”
Festival organizer Dr Satish Rai said during
interactive sessions after each screening, the
audience would be able to discuss various
aspects of the film with the producers and
directors.
Dr Rai said the audience would also be
invited to critique the content and production
style of the films.
Viddhya dadati Sampannata
NEW NTPC BOSS BRINGS
TELLING THE
EXPERIENCE, ENTHUSIASM STORY VISUALLY
K
amlesh Prakash brings more than
two decades of experience and enthusiasm
to the challenges and opportunities of his
new post as Director of the University’s National
Training and Productivity Centre.
He has a BA in economics from the University
of the South Pacific and a Master’s degree in
economics from Jarwarhalal Nehru University
in New Delhi and certificates and diploma in
Quality Management from the Australian Quality
Council and Australian Quality College, as well
as multiple training certifications.
Prior to that he spent 10 years with the Asian
Productivity Organisation in Tokyo, first as
Program Officer in the Industry Department and
then in the Research and Planning Department
to June 2010.
His work there involved research activities
in emerging areas of productivity, specifically
productivity, management, tools and techniques
and providing guidance to APO program
planning, management and implementation to
enhance the productivity and competitiveness
of corporations, governments, and organisations
through the appropriate tools and techniques and
to undertake post-project evaluation, reports, and
other necessary follow-up actions.
In the Industry Department he also worked
on country-specific projects mainly for but not
limited to the industry and service sector to
increase productivity and competitiveness of
member countries and governments, of which Fiji
is one through FNU, and to provide institutional
capacity building of the National Productivity
Organizations of member countries.
Mr Prakash was previously Manager of the
Productivity and Quality Training Board of the
former Fiji National Training Council.
Three days into his new office, Mr Prakash said
he could say leadership and people development
is key to success of the NTPC.
“I plan to weld the support of different divisions
and departments through staff involvement and
teamwork so that the Centre is focused on the
work they are to deliver.”
“I take the Industry seriously and consultations
will be held with key stakeholders as we go along,
to not only respond to emerging industry needs
but also to gather feedback on services provided
with a view to improvement for the future.
“
It’s about telling stories” is the way Larry
Thomas describes his movie-making
passion.
When Larry was just a boy, his mother
introduced him to the magical world of movies.
“She used to take me to see films and I was
always interested in them.”
Now he makes them, and some will be
screened at the Fiji National University’s Film
and Music Festival starting 26 September.
With a degree in communications from
Canberra University, he taught literature and
theatre arts at the University of the South
Pacific, becoming involved in Pacific literature
and the Pacific Writing Forum.
Coordinator of the Regional Media Centre
with the Secretariat of the Pacific Community,
Mr Thomas’ play Yours Dearly was translated
into Arabic and performed in the West Bank
in Jerusalem. Outcasts was translated into
French and performed in Noumea, New
Caledonia.
Fiji audiences have long been thoughtfully
entertained and often delighted by his work
since he staged Vilsoni Hereniko’s A Child
for Iva in 1981.
Since then there has been an impressive
list of productions including Fiji favourites
Just Another Day and Outcasts.
In 2009 he adapted the opera Carmen and
directed it as Domo ni Karmen.
NTPC Teaming with APO on Eco Tourism
T
he National Training and Productivity Centre is teaming up with the Asian Productivity Organization to host a training
seminar on Community Based Tourism and Eco Tourism.
It will be held at the Centre for Appropriate Learning and Technology, Nadave, Tailevu, 4-7 October.
NPTC’s Salote Boila said the main objective was to provide participants an opportunity to learn about advantages of using eco
tourism as an economic activity, enhancing business profiles, yielding profits in an economic sense and developing local community to
actively participate in managing the environment and its biodiversity.
The keynote speaker will be Harro Boekland, the Europe based executive officer of Contour Projects, a company that develops
tourism concepts and projects at local level to provide income and employment and protect the environment.
The target market includes Local Tour Operators, Small and Medium Tourism Business Operators, Community Based Tourism
Projects, Backpacker Operators, Eco Lodges, Local Tour Companies and government advisory offices and agencies that advise local
villages on product development and the basic requirement of a successful eco tourism project.
Gary Baxter, second left, and Julian Myers, right, paid a visit to Fiji
National University last week to discuss students’ most essential
need – books. They toured campus libraries, met with the Library
Acquisitions team, on left, Tanveer Naqvi, Chief Librarian, Nasinu;
third left Yogni Saheb, Library Assistant, Samabula, and second
right, Farhana Hakim, Campus Libarian, CBHTS Nasinu, with Dr
Mahendra Reddy, Dean of the College of Business, Hospitality and
Tourism Studies. Mr Baxter and Mr Myers represent JR Medical
Books Pty Ltd in Melbourne, which also supplies non-medical text
books for tertiary institutions including FNU.
T
he Pacific region has the highest burden
of obesity and non communicable
(non infectious) diseases in the world.
Infectious diseases such as the formerly feared
smallpox, polio and leprosy are coming under
control globally and even being eradicated.
And in developed countries the rate of deaths
from NCDs has probably almost peaked.
But in developing countries, including
the Pacific islands, the rate of NCDs such as
diabetes and high blood pressure is still rising,
rising faster, and has likely not yet gotten as
bad as it can get.
This is why a high level United Nations
meeting on NCDs is being held in New York
this month and why the College of Medicine,
Nursing and Health Sciences, and a number
of units and projects within it, have been
working on the problem.
In collaboration with the World Health
Organisation and Pacific Research Centre
for the Prevention of Obesity and Non
Communicable Diseases (C-POND), the
Secretariat of the Pacific Community and
UNICEF, the College has held a series of
meetings and a symposium to talk about the
response of academics to the crisis.
It lies in training health professionals to
work in the area of NCDs and importantly,
to gather and distribute information and
data, do research and share results, to keep an
accurate picture of exactly what the situation
is in the region.
C-POND Coordinator, Dr Wendy Snowdon
said there are a number of complex reasons for
the Pacific’s problem with obesity and NCDs,
among them that developing countries simply
can’t afford the sort of expensive, long term
care that many NCDs require. Even developed
countries’ health systems were starting to
crumble under the pressure.
But while NCDs are not 100 per cent
preventable, 80-90 per cent are preventable
and even 40-60 per cent of cancers can be
prevented, she said.
To achieve this, a more supportive environment
A
was needed.
Dr Snowdon said this could involve such
things as pricing issues, for instance why sausages
might be cheaper than more healthy fish.
There were ways of making healthy choices
easier, such as providing safe playgrounds for
children; and unhealthy choices harder, such
as declaring a smoke free environment and
making it more difficult and expensive for
people to smoke.
Strategies discussed at the various medical
meetings include training health professionals
to work in the area of NCDs and importantly,
to gather and distribute information and data,
do research and share results.
The latest meeting in the series will discuss
the need to base policy on evidence and
involves the work of the Translation Research
for Obesity Prevention in Communities
(TROPIC) project, introduced by CMNHS
Dean, Professor Ian Rouse.
The meeting will be held in Suva on 26
September.
symposium that Fiji National University gender, there will be a paper on gender and
is holding next month is themed energy planning by Ms Koin Etuati from the
ental illness and substance
“Sources, Security and Sustainability” Secretariat for the South Pacific.
abuse is the subject of a Fiji National
and
will
report on the latest developments on
Her paper explains that energy planning
University study that has just received
local
energy
research.
is
often seen as simply providing an energy
a US$50,000 grant.
In
a
programme
dominated
by
Fiji
National
source
and appropriate technology.
Senior lecturer in the University’s College
University
research
papers,
there
will
be
two
But
people
don’t usually express their needs
of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences,
in
terms
of
a
solar home system or biogas
international
speakers.
Dr Myrielle Allen is principal investigator
digester.
Dr
Alberto
Troccoli
from
Australia
will
working on the project with Senior Lecturer
What they really say is that they needs lights,
speak on the potential role of renewable
in Psychiatry Dr Odille Chang and Research
or
to grate coconut, or to dry fruit; they need
energy
in
water
desalination
on
the
first
day,
Unit Lecturer Elenoa Seru Puamau. They
to
cook or they want to watch a video.
Thursday
6
October.
are collaborating with Professor Mian-Yoon
Dr
Keng-Tung
Wu
of
the
Republic
of
China
What
people need can differ between men,
Chong, Psychiatric Epidemiologist and Vice
will
give
a
keynote
address
on
upgrading
women
and
children.
Superintendent of Chang Gung Memorial
Energy
planners
also have to be more aware
biomass
fuels
on
the
second
day,
Friday
7
Hospital in Kaohsiung City, Taiwan (Republic
of
the
social
and
economic
circumstances of
October.
of China).
Other
topics
covered
in
concurrent
sessions
the
target
group.
Their pilot study aims to investigate the
include an examination of the economics of
Gender analysis is one of the tools used
prevalence of mental illness and substance
renewable
energy;
wind
and
hydro
power;
for
including the different requirements of
use disorders among Pacific islanders. The Fiji
females
and males in general energy planning.
energy
conservation
and
management;
and
population will be the first to be studied to
There
will also be a panel discussion on
solar
power.
provide basic information that could be used
energy
efficiency,
standards and regulations
Biomass
and
biofuels
will
be
a
focus
of
for planning and promoting mental health
interest,
with
several
sessions
covering
different
chaired
by
Dr
Mahendra
Kumar of the
services in the region. The project is intended
sources.
Asian
Development
Bank
and
a final session
to run for three years.
covering
case
studies
from
the
renewable
FNU
researchers
will
speak
on
biofuels
The award was announced at the dialogue
from
seaweeds
and
algae,
soyabeans,
mustard,
energy
industry.
between Taiwan and Pacific Island countries
neem and sunflowers, biogas and bio briquette
Further details of the symposium are
held in Auckland earlier this month, at which
Left: Jainand
Kumar recognized for his creative pursuits. Right: World
Hindi Day
chiefthe
guests,
Actg FNURavita
Vice Chancellor
technology.
available
from
convener,
Prasad,
a total of $500,000 was allocated to regional
Dr Surendra Prasad, left, and Indian High Commissioner Vinod Kumar
In
a
session
on
climate
change,
energy
and
on
[email protected]
organisations for development assistance.
M
CITY SIDE SWEEPS SPORTS DAY
L
autoka Campus stamped its
dominance at the recent Western
inter campus sports day.
The Sugar City side won the rugby 7s
(male) and netball events, women’s soccer
and women’s volleyball competitions.
Ba won the soccer title while Namaka
won
the
female
rugby
7s crown and
Eager
welder
Losalini
Tamanivalu
National Training and Productivity Centre
took out the men’s volleyball competition.
Teams featured in 7s and 15s rugby,
hockey, netball, soccer and volleyball.
In opening the event Former Fiji 7s
coach and New Zealand 7s player Iliesa
Tanivula said sports was all forms of
physical activity and its main aim was to
use, maintain or improve physical fitness
and provide entertainment to participants.
“Many of you have individuals or
teams standing here (who) have been
preparing for the last couple of weeks
for this tournament,” Mr Tanivula said.
“Keep in mind, great moments are
born from great opportunities.
“And if you have all been preparing
well you shouldn’t have any doubt in
your mind about what you are supposed
to do here today or about how you are
supposed to do it.
“This is your time. Play like champions.
Win.
This is a good platform to test your
sides as you all prepare to participate at
the Inter Tertiary games next month.
“Just keep in mind at the end of the
day you will all be winners.”
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Symposium on Renewable Energy Technologies
Organized in collaboration with Mai TV, Department of Energy, Clay Energy and Fiji Sun
on
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES, SUSTAINABILITY AND SECURITY
6-8 October at FNU Nasinu Campus
Attendance in this symposium is free. However, being registered would ensure that participants receive other benefits
of the symposium. Registration details can be accessed on the website: www.fnu.ac.fj/soret
Industry Exhibition: Renewable Energy companies will showcase their products and services at the symposium.
Day 1: Renewable Energy Systems and Technologies (wind, hydro, biofuels and biomass), RE Economics, Energy Conservation and CDM
Day 2: Energy and Gender, Climate Change, Solar, Biofuels, Case-Studies from RE Industries
Day 3: Field Trip
Atten
da
in this nce
sympo
s
is freeium
.
For job vacancies and career opportunities at Fiji National University, go to www.career.fnu.ac.fj
New posts are logged each week for academic and non-academic vacancies, so check regularly for the opportunity that could lead you to a new life.
Some of the positions currently available online:
•
•
•
•
•
Associate Professor/ Assistant Professor in Emergency Medicine
Lecturer II in Biostatistics (Re-advertised)
Lecturer II in Ethics
Economist
Medical Educator
•
•
Human Resources Officer/ Assistant
Technical Assistant (Labasa Campus- Readvertised)