Discussions are currently being held with the Fijian Government which could soon bring scholarship students from the Pacific Island nation to Unitec in 2026.

This follows a visit by Fiji’s Tertiary Scholarships and Loans Service (TSLS) on Monday 6 October, as Unitec celebrates Fijian Language Week.

TSLS is a statutory institution that administers and implements Fiji’s Government-funded scholarships, study loans and grant schemes. It is responsible for ensuring transparent and accountable management of government funding.

Leading the delegation was Fiji Paramount Chief, Ro Teimumu Vuikaba Kepa, a former Deputy Prime Minister and Fiji’s first woman Leader of the Opposition. 

They were given a warm Pacific welcome by Executive Director, Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga and kaimahi from the Pacific Centre and our support service teams.

Senior Lecturer, Jone Tawaketini gave a formal greeting in Fijian to acknowledge the presence of a Paramount Chief of the Burebasaga Confederacy.

According to Director - Student Success, Annette Pitovao, TSLS is looking to build a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Unitec-MIT in preparation for our 2026 intake.
“MoU talks began on Monday as we look to match programme offerings with the requirements of TSLS who fully fund Fiji government scholarships to both New Zealand and Australia.”

TSLS already has MoU’s in place with some universities in Aotearoa. But this is the first time it is looking into the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector.

The service has chosen Unitec-MIT and Otago Polytechnic to pilot their scholarship scheme in 2026 with up to ten scholarships on offer from a total of eighty scholarships across the whole tertiary sector.

“TSLS only want to pilot with a few VET providers first. This will help them test and refine for 2027 when our institutions are a single independent entity,” Annette says. 

Peseta thanked the delegation and reassured them that their students would be in good hands.*
“We have a number of Pacific people across our institution at all levels. We've got leaders amongst leaders,” he says.

Ro Teimumu Vuikaba Kepa says it was “nice to come here and see so many familiar faces from home” including former work colleague Pacific Success Navigator, Rokosiga Morrison who comes from the same province, Rewa.

Ro says witnessing the on campus celebrations for Fijian Language Week as well as seeing so many Fijians employed at Unitec reminded her of her government’s commitment to education and seeing the impact of that investment in the diaspora.
“Seeing the success of our people in New Zealand is good for our students. It is not only a real blessing for our country, but also for them. I am a sure when they come to Unitec, they will feel so much at home. I look forward to them coming here.”