With the support of UNESCO-UNEVOC, Shenzhen Polytechnic University (SZPU) and Fiji National University (FNU) successfully implemented the UNESCO-UNEVOC Self-Reflection Workshop under the Bridging Innovation and Learning in TVET (BILT) project from May 28th to 30th, 2024. The workshop, held at Namaka Campus in Nadi, Fiji, marked a significant milestone in the implementation of the Self-Reflection Tool (SRT) project among the broader TVET community in the Asian-Pacific Region.
The SRT is a web-based tool to guide TVET providers through a structured self-reflection process, which enables them to assesstheir preparedness for new qualifications and competencies (NQC) in the face of significant disruptions, such as the digital and green transitions, informal employment, and migration. It is designed by the BILT team at UNESCO-UNEVOC, and BIBB, and co-developed with eight pilot TVET institutions in Asian-Pacific, European and African regions, with the sponsorship from BMBF (the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research). As one of pilot institutions in 2022, SZPU, with its promising NQC practices and future oriented NQC action plan, is selected by UNESCO UNEVOC as the “coach institution” for TVET institutions in the Asian-Pacific Region.
The SRT workshop's objective was to field-test and confirm the effectiveness and attractiveness of the self-reflection process and web-based tool, ensuring its potential for autonomous use by TVET providers in various contexts. The event brought together more than 40 key stakeholders from FNU, including management, trainers, learners, and representatives from FNU’s partner organizations including Ministry of Education, Heritage & Arts, Ministry of Employment, Productivity & Industrial Relations, Ministry of Youth & Sports Fiji, Higher Educations Commission of Fiji, Fiji Commerce & Employers Federation, Water Authority of Fiji, Fiji Airports Limited, University of the South Pacific, and Caregivers Training Institution.
Opening Session
The workshop commenced with an opening ceremony featuring remarks from distinguished speakers. Dr. Isimeli Tagicakiverata, Pro Vice-Chancellor of TVET at FNU, warmly welcomed all participants and emphasized the importance of the SRT in enhancing the quality and relevance of TVET programmes in Fiji and the Asia-Pacific region.
(Dr. Isimeli Tagicakiverata, Pro Vice-Chancellor of TVET at FNU)
Ms. Alexandra Filippova, Assistant Programme Officer of BILT at UNESCO-UNEVOC, provided an overview of the UNESCO-UNEVOC Network, the BILT platform and its SRT project. She explained how UNESCO-UNEVOC, as the leading agency for TVET within UNESCO, promotes global cooperation, knowledge sharing, and capacity building in TVET, and how the BILT platform facilitates the development of TVET through global conferences, regional meetings, and publications.
(Ms. Alexandra Filippova, Assistant Programme Officer of BILT at UNESCO-UNEVOC)
Prof. YANG Wenming, Coordinator of the UNEVOC Centre at SZPU, elaborated on the background and “3M+3I” framework of the SRT project. He interpreted the 3M stakeholders on macro, meso and micro levels, the 3I process including identification, integration and implementation of NQC, and NQC in the areas of digitalization, greening, entrepreneurship and migration. He shared the experiences of Shenzhen Polytechnic University (SZPU) as a pilot institution for the project in 2022.
(Prof. YANG Wenming, Coordinator of the UNEVOC Centre at SZPU)
Ms. ZHONG Zhuoya, programme officer of the UNEVOC Centre at SZPU, focused on provided a detailed elaboration on the SRT project and the self-reflection workshop. She clarified the project's overall objectives and expected outcomes, interpreted the roles and divisions of the participating entities, and explained the 3-step self-reflection process.
(Ms. ZHONG Zhuoya, programme officer of the UNEVOC Centre at SZPU)
Mr. Sikeli Waqatairewa, coordinator of the UNEVOC Centre at FNU, provided an introductory presentation on FNU and its TVET settings. He introduced the pillar industries in Fiji, the commitment of FNU as a skills provider, and the education programmes in FNU in response to the skills needs. He also touched upon how TVET in FNU is being influenced by the latest socioeconomic development, which motivated FNU to be a part of the SRT project.
(Mr. Sikeli Waqatairewa, coordinator of the UNEVOC Centre at FNU)
Three Self-Reflection Steps
The three-day workshop was moderated by Mr. Sikeli Waqatairewa, and Mr. Pita Waqawai, TVET Accreditation Specialist. According the SRT project design, this self-reflection workshop was divided into three steps, each with specific activities and expected outputs.
Step 1 focused on mapping current practices and priorities in NQC at FNU. Participants of four stakeholder groups, i.e. management, teachers, learners, and external partners, were involved in creating and filling in a survey on the current status of NQC on the SRT website with the guidance of UNEVOC and SZPU representatives and the remote support of the BILT Team. With joint reflection on the evidence and data, digitalization was selected as the competence area for in-depth reflection in Step 2.
(Conduction of the NQC survey by all FNU stakeholders)
Step 2, as the key step spanning two days, involved analyzing strengths and opportunities and preparing a NQC action plan. Participants discussed and reflected on fifteen indicators across three aspects of digitalization competence development: identification, integration, and implementation. During the discussions, Prof. YANG Wenming elaborated on the latest trends and methodologies of digital transformation in TVET, inspiring participants to systematically review what they are doing for NQC in digitalization and how to improve. Participants then developed an action plan for enhancing digital competencies, focusing on increasing learning flexibility and creating digitalized learning environments.
(Discussions in each stake holder group facilitated by the BILT team and SZPU)
Step 3 was review meeting and wrap-up. Mr. Sikeli Waqatairewa summarized the main outcomes of the self-reflection workshop, i.e. the analysis report of FNU’s strengths and opportunities in NQC and their NQC action plan. Participants provided feedback on the self-reflection process and web-based tool, offering valuable suggestions for improving the tool. Ms. Filippova and Prof. Yang respectively delivered concluding remarks on behalf of UNESCO-UNEVOC and SZPU, informing that the workshop successfully engaged key stakeholders from FNU, validated and refined the SRT, and contributed to the international TVET community's joint efforts in addressing future challenges in TVET.
Outcomes and Way Forward
The SRT Multiplier Phase Workshop at FNU achieved its expected outcomes, including:
An evidence-based understanding of FNU's capacity to anticipate NQC;
Strengthened dialogue among internal stakeholders and external partners of FNU;
A specific action plan reported to senior management for follow-up activities to implement improvements in their prioritized competence area, i.e. digitalization.
Field-test and further development of the SRT as a tool to be owned by TVET providers for improving their NQC offers
Opportunity to improve the institution’s offer with regards to greening and digitalization (and other self-defined areas), based on findings and Action Plan;
Access to a global network of TVET providers and innovative practices, enhanced awareness of international approaches to new qualifications and competencies;
(Group photo of workshop participants)
The successful implementation of the physical workshop in Fiji represents a significant step forward in the finalization and dissemination of the SRT and its associated methodology. As the project progresses, the BILT team engaging UNEVOC, BIBB, and BMBF, and SZPU as the Asian-Pacific coach institution, remain committed to dissemination of SRT and unleashing the tool’s potential in facilitating evidence-based decision-making and improving the responsiveness of TVET systems to the evolving needs of the economy and society.
