Kousing pursues culinary arts studies at FNU

Listen to this article:

Wainise Takayawa Kousing. Picture: FNU

Wainise Takayawa Kousing’s interest in cooking creative dishes for her family and friends strengthened her desire to deepen her knowledge and perfect her culinary skills.

So, after completing high school, Kousing began researching for opportunities available that aligned with her interests.

After learning about the Fiji National University’s (FNU) Certificate III in Cookery programme, the 20-year-old reached out to a few FNU alumni to gauge their student experiences.

“I knew a few people that graduated from FNU so I conversed with them to hear first-hand about their learning journey at FNU,” she said.

“Their feedback was positive regarding the courses, the lecturers and support staff, the facilities and campus life activities.”

Kousing who is from Natalaira, Dawasamu in Tailevu decided to enrol in the course, which is offered by FNU’s College of Business, Hospitality and Tourism Studies (CBHTS) at the Nasese Campus in Suva.

“I find the lecturers at FNU very supportive in terms of encouraging students in pursuing their dreams and always making themselves available to help us through mentoring, training and advise on circumstances relating to our studies,” she said.

“I also enjoy the practical classes because I get to demonstrate my skills and passion in cooking and also share tips and knowledge with my colleagues.”

My favourite highlight would be doing practical classes in the kitchen. There is so much fun and learning happening at the same time, whether it be individual or group work.”

“What I appreciate about the course and the students is that we tend to help each other and share knowledge and skills and also learn new things from those who already have industry experience.”

After completing the course last year, Kousing is currently undertaking the Trade Diploma in Culinary Arts programme.

She said the theoretical and practical skills and knowledge she would attain from the two-year course would complement her prior skills and qualifications and allow her to progress in her professional life.

“I hope to work in a restaurant or the hotel sector after graduation and one day aim to be an acclaimed chef in a competitive restaurant or hotel,” Kousing said. “In the longer term, I plan to be a job creator and have my own business whilst continuously studying and upskilling myself.”

When reflecting on her ambitious dreams, Kousing said “to succeed, you must make things happen instead of waiting for them to happen, if you have the talent and raw passion to cook and bake, then this course can help you further your studies and help you reach your goals.”

She also encouraged others to undertake technical and vocational education and training (TVET) courses such as the Culinary Arts programme or others offered by FNU at one of its five colleges.

“I believe that there are many students and school leavers out there who may have dropped out of school because their interests lied elsewhere,” she said. “If they have the passion for a particular trade then I believe FUN is the right place to enhance their knowledge, demonstrate their skills and achieve their dreams.”

Students completing or have completed Year 12 or 13 have the opportunity to undergo Semester 1, 2022 studies in a TVET course at FNU through the 5,000 Tertiary Scholarships and Loans Service (TSLS) placements.

Continuing students of an FNU TVET course are also eligible and can apply for the placement.

Offered through the University’s TVET Pasifika, these courses are Certificate III, Certificate IV and Trade Diploma level qualifications.

Students eligible for TSLS-funded studies must have successfully completed Year 12 with a minimum mark of 200/400 or completed Level 1 and II studies from the Technical College of Fiji.

Applications for Semester 1, 2022 studies at FNU are now open.

 

Array
(
    [post_type] => post
    [post_status] => publish
    [orderby] => date
    [order] => DESC
    [update_post_term_cache] => 
    [update_post_meta_cache] => 
    [cache_results] => 
    [category__in] => 1
    [posts_per_page] => 4
    [offset] => 0
    [no_found_rows] => 1
    [date_query] => Array
        (
            [0] => Array
                (
                    [after] => Array
                        (
                            [year] => 2023
                            [month] => 12
                            [day] => 19
                        )

                    [inclusive] => 1
                )

        )

)