The iTaukei Land Trust Board has launched a significant initiative by awarding scholarships to 15 students under its newly established iTaukei Education Scholarship Programme. This program seeks to enhance educational opportunities for iTaukei landowners, marking a vital step in fostering human capital within the community.
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka officiated at the scholarship presentation ceremony, describing the program as a strategic move to build long-term capacity among the iTaukei people. He underscored that genuine and sustainable prosperity hinges not only on effective land management but also on investing in human resources.
The scholarship scheme is designed to expand access to quality education and professional training, particularly for landowners facing financial difficulties. The Prime Minister emphasized that the initiative goes beyond covering tuition fees, viewing education as a crucial element for stronger families, empowered communities, and national progress.
The inaugural group of scholarship recipients will study in six essential fields: Aircraft Engineering, Biotechnology, Civil Engineering, Commercial Pilot Training, Land Surveying, and MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery). These disciplines have been chosen to align with Fiji’s broader development goals, particularly in infrastructure, healthcare, aviation, and scientific advancement.
Rabuka noted that the selected fields represent a forward-looking strategy aimed at cultivating a highly skilled workforce that can contribute significantly to the nation’s resilience and growth. He urged the scholarship recipients to remember their dual roles as representatives of their families and communities, encouraging them to embody excellence, integrity, and a commitment to service. Their success symbolizes progress not only for themselves but for the entire iTaukei community, reaffirming the commitment of the TLTB to support students throughout their educational journeys.
One of the scholarship recipients, Rebekah Salailagi Caucau, a fifth-year medical student at the Fiji School of Medicine, shared her financial challenges, particularly in her early years of study when her siblings helped pay for her tuition. She expressed that this scholarship has eased some of that financial burden and has renewed her determination to complete her education. Caucau conveyed her heartfelt gratitude for this opportunity, which she believes will help her better serve her community in the future.
This scholarship initiative not only empowers individual recipients but also inspires hope for a brighter future within the iTaukei community, potentially driving significant advancements in various sectors critical to national development.