International/Regional Students:
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Welcome to the Fiji Institute of Technology. The Fiji Institute of Technology is an autonomous Government Agency designed to provide technical and vocational education and training programs in accordance with the needs of industry, placing emphasis on excellence and equity.
Location
Fiji is the heart of the South Pacific where the 180' meridian runs through. You can be both in today and yesterday if you choose to come and study at FIT and you can also be the first to see the sunrise on any given day.
The capital city of Fiji - Suva has close to two hundred thousand population and is a modern dynamic region with progressive business sectors, a high technology direction and a competitive skilled workforce.
The diverse Suva public transport system provides buses and taxis, allowing you easy access to and from the city center. Travel between central Suva and our main campus takes only about ten minutes by bus or car.
Suva's shopping centers, nightlife - clubs, pubs, live music, cinema, cafe and restaurants, and places of interest - as well as sporting complex, museum, tourist attraction parks and historical landmarks are all within easy reach.
The main campus of the institute is located centrally within the city boundary of Suva. With close proximity of central business center and is surrounded by homes, shopping centers and business making the campus itself like another world.
There are more than ten thousand students enrolled each year at FIT, including the international/regional students that together brings in a peaceful and focused study environment renowned for its inclusiveness and dynamism.
Why study at FIT
- A technical and vocational institute with diversified broad range of programs.
- Flexible modes of delivery - "face-to-face", entrepreneurship, franchise, and Open & Distance Learning.
- Campus/Centers are located in strategic locations throughout the country.
- Rich cultural and sporting activities.
- Course assessment - formative & summative.
- Most courses have industry attachment/experience components.
- Well-trained and experienced professional academic staff.
- Programs are Internationally recognized.
- Well established national, regional, regional & international networks.
Institute Facilities
The Institute features a range of comprehensive, modern facilities including a fully computerized library system, lecture theaters, tutorial rooms, reading areas, specialized laboratories, workshops, learning support center, an Institute-wide computing network, cafeteria, bookshop student halls of residence and dining facilities for both male and female students.
Sporting facilities include tennis and basketball courts, and a mini workout gym.
International/Regional students can join a range of sporting and recreational clubs and societies including an International/Regional Students Association. Club activities are also offered through Liberal Studies Program which are included in students academic transcripts.
The cafeteria outlet serves a wide selection of food for staff, students and visitors to our campus. In addition, there is an excellent student restaurant run by our School of Hospitality & Tourism Studies.
International/Regional Liaison Office
The Institute's International/Regional Liaison Office (ILO) is found within the Student Academic Services Department at the main campus that provides many services to help international/regional students living in Fiji. The ILO staff endeavor to offer friendship, moral and professional support to international/regional students.
International/Regional Student Support
International/Regional Student Support is available to all international/regional students at Fiji Institute of Technology and offers:
- Pre-Arrival Support
Once you have accepted your offer of a place to study at Fiji Institute of Technology you will be sent a Pre-Arrival Pack by your International/Regional Liaison Office. The Pre-Arrival Pack contains: a Pre-Arrival Guide of comprehensive information (such as immigration requirements, standard living costs, health issues, etc) to help students prepare for traveling to Fiji; information leaflets; application for an on-campus accommodation and your confirmed travel details.
- Support on Arrival
At the commencement of the first Semester/Trimester/Block every year, your International/Regional Office organizes a one-day orientation for all new international/regional students. For international/regional students starting their students’ studies in their second semester, orientation programs are organized together with other students at the commencement of the semester. Each student will receive an International/Regional Students' Welcome Pack containing a Handbook and a guide to the Fiji Institute of Technology.
- Advice and Information
The International/Regional Students Support team offers and advise on a range of queries and issues including immigration, academic concerns, culture adjustments, money and other matters. Our top priority is to provide a high quality service that is accessible and flexible to all students, hence, you can drop by and see any of your International/Regional Support Team at any time from 8.00 am – 4.30 from Monday to Thursday and 8am-4pm on Friday.
- International/Regional Students Notice Board
The International/Regional Students Notice Board contains features on international/regional activities at FIT, details of events organized by the International/Regional Students Association, latest changes in any policy and legislation affecting international/regional students studying in Fiji. We are always looking for new stories, views and reports, so if you would like to contribute to the International/Regional Students' Notice Board, please send in your articles and your news items to the international/regional Student Support team.
- Pre-departure Support
Re-orientation Support is organized for those students completing their courses and preparing them to return home. Departing International/Regional Students have an opportunity to have access to helpful information that will help you plan your departure from Fiji and prepare yourself for returning home. Check your Notice Board for details.
Immigration Matters at the Ports of Entry
When you arrive in Fiji, in any port of call, you should follow the "Arrivals" signs to Passport Control. You will notice that there are separate queues for Fiji Passport holders and all other passport holders.
At passport Control, you should be prepared to answer questions about yourself and yourself intended stay in Fiji. You should also be ready to have the following documents in your hand luggage ready to show to the Immigration Officer.
Students from countries who are members of the Pacific Community (Regional)
- A valid passport or identity, and;
- It may also be useful for you to bring with you evidence of funding for your tuition fees and your maintenance costs, and a letter from FIT confirming you acceptance onto your program of study.
- Medical report and Police clearance from the country
Students from outside the Pacific Community (International)
- A valid passport or travel document containing your entry visa (if required)
- A letter from FIT confirming your acceptance on a full-time program of study
- Evidence of sufficient funds to cover tuition fees, living costs and accommodation for both yourself and any departments
- Police clearance/Medical report
- Student must obtain study visa before arrival
You may also be asked to provide details of your accommodation in Fiji or evidence of the availability of accommodation for students at FIT, and evidence that you have suitable qualifications to study on your proposed program.
At Immigration Control, some students may be asked to show recent evidence of a medical examination/chest x-ray, or may be asked to have a routine medical check. This is more likely if you come from a country where there is a high risk of AIDS, or where there has been a recent outbreak of infectious disease. If you are asked to have a medical check, remember don’t panic, officials are there to assist you and make sure to return to Immigration Control after you are done.
If you have not applied for prior entry clearance (visa), the Immigration Officer will need to verify requirements to study in Fiji. Once the Immigration Officer is satisfied that you meet these requirements, he/she will stamp your passport stating how long you can stay in Fiji, and any other restrictions placed on you.
If you have obtained entry clearance as a student prior to your arrival in Fiji, you should pass through Passport Control relatively quickly. However, the Immigration Officer may still wish to verify that your circumstances haven’t changed since you were granted entry clearance.
Problems at Immigration Control
If you are refused entry into Fiji and you do not have entry clearance, you can be sent back immediately.
However, if you have entry clearance (visa) you will be able to appeal against the refusal from within Fiji.
If you experience any problems at Immigration Control, do not be afraid to see the Immigration Supervisor on duty.
International/Regional Students’ Orientation
International/Regional Students are strongly recommended to attend the International/Regional Students’ Orientation Program organized during the commencement of the first semester every year. This is to welcome new international/regional students to FIT. The program aims to provide you with an opportunity to find out about studying and living in Fiji and to settle into campus life at FIT before your course starts. Further orientation on international/regional students’ orientation will be available on the International/Regional Students Notice Board.
International/Regional Students Orientation Program is based at the main campus that includes:
- Information sessions about FIT and studying and living in Fiji;
- Registration with the International/Regional Student Association/Liberal Studies Clubs;
- A chance to meet and make friends with other international/regional students;
- An opportunity to meet your international/regional support team;
- Help and advice for students who need to look for accommodating to rent in Suva;
- Opportunity to meet a number of existing international/regional students who are employed as Student Assistants at the Orientation Program and will be able to answer questions you may have;
- Evening social events;
- Receiving of "Welcome Pack" containing important information about the institute and city support services and city guide.
Accompanying Family Members
You may be considering bringing your spouse and your dependent children to accompany you while studying at FIT. If you do decide to bring your family with you, it is very important that you assess what their needs will be while in Fiji and spend some time on planning and preparing for your move to Fiji. Try and find out as much as possible about accommodation, schools and/or day-care centers and education opportunities for your spouse. It is also very important that you ensure you have enough money to support your family while studying in Fiji.
Students Association
The FIT Students Association (FITSA) exists to protect, supervise and maintain the rights and welfare of every student enrolled at the institute.
The association is also responsible for organizing sporting, educational, and social activities including ball-nights, inter-cultural evenings and excursions.
Living Cost
You may bring as much money as you like in any form into Fiji. You will, however, need to check with your bank at home to see if there are any restrictions governing the transfer of funds to Fiji.
As a guide, we strongly recommend you bring at least FJD$1,500 to pay for your initial expenses in the first few weeks here. It is always recommended that should you decide to bring more than this sum, you should buy travelers’ cheques before you leave your home country, from a reputable bank or travel agency. This is safer than carrying a lot of cash with you when you travel, and you should not have any problems cashing the cheques at airports, bureau de change and banks.
Most hotels and shops in Fiji will also accept credit cards. The most common credit cards in Fiji are Visa, MasterCard and American Express. First check with your bankers how much they will charge each time you use your card.
To maintain a comfortable standard of living in Fiji, the following are recommended and figures shown are all approximate. Living cost in Fiji is not static and will increase each year. Make sure that you have enough money to pay for all your expenses while in Fiji.
Whilst the cost of living differs from time to time, however, the approximate costs guidelines for asingle student on a weekly basis:-
- Accommodation $70
- Electricity $10
- Telephone (depending on usage) $10
- Food/Toiletries $80
- Books & Stationeries $20
- Clothes $20
- Other (entertainment, travel, etc.) $40
Banking Services
The following banks have their services available throughout Fiji: ANZ Bank; Bank of Baroda; Colonial Bank; South Pacific Bank and Westpac Banking Corporation.
If you are applying to open a bank account in Fiji, you will normally be required to take with you the following evidence, however, banks do frequently change their policies on this matter, so you should always check with the banks first:-
- Your passport, or your National Identity Card
- Proof of Fiji address (accommodation contract)
- A letter from FIT confirming your student status with details of your course start and finish dates as well as your permanent address while studying at FIT
Some banks may, however require information about your bank account in your home country, and evidence of funding for your studies.
Banks in Fiji offer a number of different types of bank account services. Try check with a few different banks to see which type of bank account service suits you best. When choosing the type of account that best suits your needs, remember to consider any charges, the arrangements and cost of transferring money from home, and how easy it is for you to visit your bank, etc.
Generally, most banks offer the following services:
- Cash card, allowing you withdrawals twenty-four hours from an ATM machine
- Cheque Book, allows you to pay for goods and services without having to use cash
- Credit Card, allows you to pay for most goods and services without having to use cash
Climate
Remember that Fiji is a tropical country with vast weather conditions that may be at times unpredictable. Nevertheless, it can be nice and warm from June to September with temperatures ranging between a low of 14°C to high of 26°C.
October to May is always the hottest part of the season with temperatures ranging between 24°C minimum to a maximum of 32°C.
Rainy season is always from February to July.
2010 Bridging Programme
Commences on 4th January - 5th February. Mainly for the International/Regional students. This programme is being facilitated by the Faculty of Commerce/Hospitality & Tourism and Faculty of Humanities, Communication and Cultural Arts in coordination with the Student Academic Services Department.
Asian Students Orientation Programme
Commences on 8th February,2010. This is organized mainly for our Asian students from outside the Pacific region.
Orientation Programme
Commences on Saturday 13th February 2010 for all New Block, Trimester and Semester programme students (including all Satellite Schools).
All International/Regional Applications can be made to:-
The Director
Fiji Institute of Technology
P. O. Box 3722,
Samabula
Fiji Islands.
For further information, please contact your International/Regional Students Office on:
Telephone: (679) 3389320
Facsimile: (679) 338 0024
Mobile: (679) 9917441
Email:
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Download Application Form: Enrollment Application Form for International/Regional Students
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