Special medals were awarded to two graduates yesterday from the University of Fiji’s School of Law.

Rohit Ashvin Dayal and Vikaili Buli received the special medals in recognition to their high Grade Point Average at the school of law.

These medals were specially provided by the Law Society of the University, President Litea Tikoinayau and Professor Julian Moti, Dean of the Law School.

Rohit Dayal, a former police officer from Suva, received a Valedictorian medal for obtaining the highest GPA in law.

“I am very excited and I wish to thank my wife, my daughter and my father-in-law for their tremendous support throughout,” he said.

“This is the fruit of my hard work and dedication and I am thankful to the University for giving me this status.”

A police officer for 16 years, then later joining the University, the 44-year-old found the programme challenging.

“It was my passion to study in life because straight after high school I had joined the Fiji Police Force and served,” Mr Dayal said.

“Over the four years of school, I have developed much more in social and academic life and I am very grateful for that.”

Mr Dayal will always remember the continuous support he received from his wife, Durgeshni Dayal, a school teacher and his 21-year-old daughter.

“I am thankful to the Government of the day for recognising this university and to the lecturers who have taught me the right path in the Law School.

“Age should never be a barrier, in fact nothing should be a barrier in life when it comes to education.”

Vikaila Buli, a 22-year-old, received a Salutatorian medal for achieving the second highest GPA in Law School.

“It started off slow, but enjoyed it as I went along and I was very much convinced that this is what I wanted to do,” she said.

“At the age of 18 years I started this course and with my parents who are school teachers, there was always encouragement. I definitely did not see this medal coming my way because I never had the habit of checking my GPA.

“Nothing substitutes hard work, you have to committed even especially if you do not feel like it,” she said.

Both law graduates will now move on to do their Graduate Diploma Law Programme and wait on for their admission to the Fiji bar.

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