Vijay Prakash, a sugarcane farmer, a qualified mechanic after chasing his dream unit by uni while working in fields

Sugarcane farmer, Vijay Prakash graduated yesterday with a Trade Certificate in Automotive Engineering after seven years of study at the Fiji National University.

Of Vunivere in Seaqaqa, Macuata, Mr Prakash said it was his wife, Karuna Devi, who encouraged him to strive to achieve his dream.

The father of three children said he had dropped out of high school when he was 18, despite accomplishing good results in Year 12.

“The reason I left school was because I had to go back home to look after family and manage my father’s 40-acre sugarcane farm at Seaqaqa,” he said.

“While working on the farm under the hot sun, I always wished to study in one of the universities and become a mechanic.”

In 2009, he enrolled at the FNU Labasa campus – a start of his higher education journey.

“It took me seven years to complete my course because I was cutting sugarcane and delivering it to the mill, at the same time doing some savings,” he said.

“So whenever I had enough money, I paid my fees to do one unit at a time.”

“Finally, I am a qualified mechanic, thanks to my supportive wife.

“I can now say to my children to feel proud that their father is educated and able to look after them well.”

Mrs Prakash, 35, said when people go for job interviews, employers always looked for qualified candidates.

“My husband always wanted to become a mechanic and as his wife, I had to sacrifice so much just to make sure that he was able to live his dream and never have regrets in life,” Mrs Prakash said.

Edited by Caroline Ratucadra