Students Benefit through Fiji-Georgia Collaborations

The strengthened diplomatic cooperation between Fiji and Georgia has created lifetime opportunities and transformed the future of six young Fijian students who have acquired their qualifications as trained medical officers at Tbilisi State Medical University for the period of 6 years.

The very first batch of students who were awarded with the scholarships to study in Georgia have returned to Fiji earlier this month and are looking forward to serve their nation and contribute proficiently towards the advancement of Fiji’s health services.

The students were delighted to share their experience whilst they met with the Minister for Defence, National Security and Foreign Affairs, Hon. Inia Seruiratu and the Georgian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Alexander Khvtisiashvili at the official signing of the Visa Free Agreement between Fiji and Georgia at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters in Suva yesterday.

The students have expressed their sincere appreciation towards the Fijian and Georgian collaboration that has consolidated into the provision of scholarships for Fijian students.

Mr Rodnishwar Prasad, the 27 year old from Nausori is grateful to see that his childhood dream coming true through the scholarship he applied to study in Georgia. He was among the 6 Fijian students who left Fiji to study in Georgia in 2013.

He said the support given at the Tbilisi State Medical University and the kind hospitality of the Georgian communities has touched their hearts. And like every other foreign student while they had challenges to adapt to a new environment, the respect and care they had received made them feel at home and enabled them to embrace the Georgian cultures and language with much admiration.

He also commended the Tbilisi State Medical University for their tremendous assistance and support that enabled him and other Fijian students to confidently complete their 6 years of training as qualified medical officers.

Mr Prasad said that ever since he was a primary school student had he always dreamt of becoming a doctor and if it wasn’t for this scholarship, him and his family wouldn’t have seen this dream turn into reality.

“Since the time, I was in primary school, I aimed to become a doctor and I am proud to see that dream has been achieved through the assistance provided by the Fiji and Georgia partnership. I am grateful to the support given to me and the other students whilst we studied in Georgia and now as we are back in Fiji, we are ready to serve our own country. The wonderful memories we gained during our stay at Georgia will remain in our hearts forever,” Mr Prasad said.

Similarly, Ms Katrina Shute who hails from Savusavu, has expressed sincere gratitude to the Fijian and Georgian officials who have been instrumental in organizing the scholarships for Fijian students.

She described her experience as enriching for it enable the medical students to not only develop their competency and expertise as medical officers, but also to interact and get firsthand experience in terms of patient care and modern medical services. She said the training provided them with vast experience and broadened knowledge which has empowered them to excel in their professional and personal aspirations.

One of the significant experiences she gained whilst studying at University Tbilisi State Medical University was the networking with students from various countries around the world. It enabled the Fijian students to get great exposure not only in terms of their formal training but it also gave them the opportunity to reachout and appreciate the uniqueness of cultures and values that nurture the universal values of peace, unity and diversity.