Fiji is working with other Pacific Island Countries to ensure tertiary qualifications are recognized internationally.

Pacific Community’s Team Leader Qualifications Unit, Rajendra Prasad, says this is the challenge and aim of the development of a regional agency to support national higher education institutions.

“The real gaps right now is how the Pacific Qualifications can be internationally recognized, that’s exactly the gap that people are now actually talking about right now.”

Fiji Higher Education Commission Acting Director Dr. Nikhat Shameem says this is critical for encouraging labour mobility and the continued economic progress of the region.

“I believe that the skills and education and qualifications exist within the region, it’s just a matter of coordinating ourselves so that we tap into that.”

The two-day meeting of the Pacific Qualifications Advisory Board concluded yesterday with a finalized discussion on a regional work plan going forward.