After three years of hard work, 23-year-old Meresini Usamate walked out of the Vodafone Arena in Suva yesterday as a new graduate of the University of the South Pacific (USP).

The budding advocate who was awarded a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Environmental Science, said the road to her achievement was challenging but worth it.

“I’m especially proud being the first grandchild in my family to graduate. I’m excited and my parents are very happy and proud,” she said.

Ms Usamate was congratulated after the ceremony yesterday by her beaming father, Minister for Health and Medical Services Jone Usamate, and her proud mom Cagi Usamate.

Currently a post-graduate student in environmental studies, Ms Usamate said perseverance was important even when the journey became challenging.

“At first I pursued a BSc in Biochemistry but after a while I discovered that I was passionate about the environment,” she said. “For those, like me, who might have taken longer than usual to get their degree, keep on keeping on, even if people talk,” she said.

Ms Usamate said nature conservation was a field she hoped to work in, in the future.

“We have a lot of native species to protect, especially those that are endangered. This is something I really care about and I hope would be my future career,” she said.

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