Fiji’s future workforce is being reshaped – not just in lecture halls, but through mobile apps, artificial intelligence, and new digital systems.

In his ministerial statement to Parliament, Education Minister Aseri Radrodro outlined sweeping reforms undertaken by the Tertiary Scholarship and Loans Service (TSLS) in 2025.

“TSLS is now proven to be amongst the most technologically advanced public sector institutions in Fiji based on the imperatives of the generations of core customers” Radrodro highlighted.

Among the upgrades are the launch of a 24/7 AI chatbot for scholarship queries, a mobile app that brings all student services into one platform, and an employment portal connecting graduates to employers.

“Today the Coalition Government is not only preparing our students for jobs, but also preparing them to be leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs. At this point in time, I thank the TSLS for being an outstanding institution of excellence in business processes, re-engineering and service delivery, as well as effectively implementing the Coalition Government’s policy” he emphasized.

But Opposition MP Hem Chand welcomed the update with caution, warning that the shift from loans to fully-funded scholarships might not be financially sustainable in the long run.

He argued that writing off student debts and removing loan options could leave the education fund vulnerable, especially when more than 19,000 students are still studying privately without government aid.

“According to the figures provided last year, there are more students studying privately at Treasury institutions than on scholarships. In addition to scholarships, my suggestion to the Government is to reconsider bringing back a loan scheme which will assist families to send their children to tertiary institutions” he argued.

As thousands of students across the country strive to build a better future, the Ministerial update is a timely reminder that education reforms must continue to focus on access, empowerment, and long-term impact for every Fijian learner.

By Joeli Ragoneliwa