PEOPLE came from afar to celebrate the opening of a school that was one man's dream. For they knew, that the benefits of that one vision, would spread far beyond the community that accommodates this brand new facility.
The Umanand Prasad Medical School in Saweni, Lautoka was launched yesterday with much fanfare with speakers heaping praise on the man who initiated the project.
University of Fiji vice-chancellor Professor Srinivasih Muralidhar said 63 students were already enjoying the generosity of former Labasa physician Dr Umanand Prasad.
"In undertaking this project, Dr Prasad has sacrificed much in the past three years; his medical practice, his family, time, energy and health. It has truly been a labour of love," he said.
Dr Prasad began his medical studies at the Fiji School of Medicine and completed his degree in India. After practising in Fiji for some time, he migrated to Australia. He has been operating a very successful medical practice in Adelaide over the past 30 years.
"About three years ago he decided to establish a medical school at the new University of Fiji, pledged an initial contribution of $1million, and also agreed to provide the services as dean of the medical school without any remuneration for the first six years," said Professor Muralidhar.
"So began the Umanand Prasad School of Medicine, UPSM as we affectionately call it, with 40 students in temporary accommodation in our neighbouring Pundit Vishnu Deo Memorial College. The construction of the medical school building started in June last year. This is indeed a proud moment for everyone associated with the medical school, the students, their parents, the teaching staff, the builder, Mr Ranjeet Singh and his team of workers, the Bank of Baroda, the Arya Pratinidhi Sabha of Fiji, the founders of the University of Fiji, our former vice-chancellor, Professor Rajesh Chandra, and above all, for the benefactor, Dr Umanand Prasad."
Also at the University of Fiji
Indigenous studies
THE University of Fiji has ambitious plans for its Centre for Indigenous Studies which it says will be the only one of its kind in Fiji. When completed, it will be developed into a major teaching, research, performing and exhibition centre for indigenous and multi-ethnic arts and culture for the whole of Fiji. Particular emphasis will be on tourism in the West. Draft drawings for a traditional-style building for the centre are ready, and the university is now awaiting funding.
Courses a must
TO promote understanding and tolerance among the young men and women, the University of Fiji has an innovative curriculum where it is compulsory for every student to take the Contemporary Fiji and the Governance and Ethics courses. In addition, an introduction to Fijian and Hindi is compulsory for all students. The school says it believes that these efforts will go a long way in creating "one country, one nation and one people".
University figures
SINCE it began in 2005, the University of Fiji has achieved much already. There are campuses in Saweni and Suva with a student enrolment of 600 - of which 60 per cent are women. It has a flourishing law school in Suva with 70 students, and a thriving medical school in Saweni with 63 students. The medical school's roll includes three students from the Solomon Islands. Nearly 80 students are enrolled in postgraduate studies in fields such as educational leadership, english literature, economics, mathematics.
