Fulton Adventist College has received provisional approval from the Higher Education Commission Fiji (HEC) to operate as Fulton Adventist University. This significant milestone, granted on October 3, allows the institution to serve under its new title for a period of six months while the Fulton Adventist University Bill navigates through Parliament. Following this period, HEC will evaluate the university’s readiness for full recognition.
During a celebratory gathering, Vice-Chancellor Dr. Ronald Stone emphasized that the achievement marks not just a change in title but is a tribute to the commitment to education and service upheld by the institution over the years. He reaffirmed the university’s dedication to providing holistic education, nurturing the mind, soul, and spirit of its students.
HEC Director Dr. Eci Naisele commended Fulton for meeting the rigorous criteria necessary for university status, noting that it was one of the first institutions in Fiji to gain full registration and accreditation. He highlighted that Fulton’s vision is addressing a genuine need within Fiji’s higher education landscape.
Fulton, affiliated with the Seventh-day Adventist Church, offers academic programs in theology, education, and business and serves students from 11 Pacific nations. The university is set to celebrate its 120th anniversary from November 26 to 29, hosting a reunion event for alumni and supporters to mark this historic occasion.
This latest development aligns with a growing national emphasis on enhancing the quality of higher education in Fiji, which has seen increased government support for educational ventures. The commitment to improving access to quality education could strengthen workforce readiness and position institutions like Fulton as regional leaders in education. The hopeful outlook for Fulton Adventist University emerges not just from regulatory approval, but also through the acknowledgement it receives from both the government and community members rallying behind it. This progress fosters optimism for a brighter future where education plays a pivotal role in community transformation across the Pacific region.