Fulton moves toward university recognition
Fulton Adventist University College has received provisional approval to operate as Fulton Adventist University, marking a new chapter in the institution’s 120-year history.
The approval, granted by the Higher Education Commission Fiji (HEC) on October 3, allows the university to operate under its new status for six months while the Fulton Adventist University Bill progresses through parliament. The Commission will then reassess the university’s readiness for full recognition.
A ceremony held on October 8 at Fulton’s Sabeto campus celebrated the milestone, attended by HEC representatives, church leaders, Fulton staff and students. During the program, the institution’s iconic stone letters—previously reading FAUC—were symbolically updated to FAU to reflect the university’s new identity.
HEC director Dr Eci Naisele congratulated the university, noting Fulton’s long-standing contribution to higher education in Fiji. “Fulton was among the first institutions in the country to gain full registration and accreditation for its programs under the Higher Education Commission,” he said.
According to Dr Naisele, achieving university status is not easy, but Fulton not only met the required criteria, it also fulfils a specific need within Fiji’s higher education system. “There were consultations about whether another university was needed,” he explained, “but your vision and mission met a genuine need because there’s no clash with other universities.”
