Fiji Maritime Academy Bullish on Prospects
The Fiji Maritime Academy (FMA) is on the right track to become one of the finest maritime training institutions in the region. It has also achieved an important milestone after being awarded International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) Certification.
The Academy is planning a history-making launch March 9 with the Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama, a former Fiji Navy commander will officially open the revitalised 45-year-old training institute. The ceremony is planned at the Laucala Bay, Suva facility.
The training facility has spearheaded the careers of more than 3,000 students since becoming part of the Fiji National University in 2009. Countless more student numbers are added to this figure with the institution turning out graduates since its establishment in 1970 as part of the Derrick Technical Institute.
Meanwhile, the chief executive officer and director in charge of the academy Captain Suren Gurusinghe said that it has received ISO certification.
Academy has already received an accolade from certifying body DNV/GL, which is an international certification body and ship and offshore classification society, with main locations in Norway and Germany.
“The awarding of an ISO 9001:2008 certification will place any seafarers, who attend FMA, ahead of the pack when competing with seafarers from the Pacific Region,” Gurusinghe said.
“FMA’s though this important mile stone, want to make sure the end users who employ graduates from the academy are guaranteed that they have employees and trainees who competent qualified and to international standards.”