Sagufta is the former Executive Director of Outsource Fiji, the industry body that developed her country’s Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry. Through partnerships with the government and private sector, Outsource Fiji supports programmes on bridging, upskilling, confidence-building, and behaviour to train the Fijian workforce.
During the One Young World Summit 2023, Belfast, Sagufta was able to highlight the achievements of small island nations. She also connected with numerous One Young World Ambassadors that have provided her with a “worldwide network of resources” that she would not have otherwise been able to access.
7,000 people participated in Outsource Fiji’s upskilling programme, 180 people took part in its leadership course, and 350 participated in the organisation’s confidence-building and foundations courses, respectively. The organisation also sponsored a public speaking club through Toastmasters International with 80 members. In total, Outsource Fiji employed 10,500 people in the outsourcing sector. In doing so, the industry body has not only encouraged more investors to enter the Fijian economy but also evaluated these investors to keep Fijian workers safe from exploitative practices. It has also worked with universities to ensure that the level of qualification and training that Fijian students receive adheres to the requirements of the businesses that are entering the market.
While Sagufta is on to other ventures, including serving as Head of Solutions Mapping at UNDP Pacific Office and Country Director Fiji for WOMEN IN TECH© Global, she hopes to continue creating economic opportunities for people in Fiji. She is specifically focused on employment for women and girls in tech, who often face barriers to enter the sector. She also hopes to continue supporting training and capacity-building programmes that provide “last mile access” to the internet for communities in remote areas of the island.
