46-year-old returns for university classes
Age is no barrier for Edward Sarufi as he strives to attain a higher qualification.
The 46-year-old is a water engineer by profession and had been in the workforce for years making it a difficult decision to return to the classroom.
Originally from the Solomon Islands, Mr Sarufi attended the Fiji National University (FNU) in 2004 before returning to his homeland in 2006.
Eleven years later in 2017, Mr Sarufi returned to the College of Engineering, Science and Technology (CEST) to complete his Diploma in Civil Engineering.
“As a working person, it is hard to leave work and return to school but I had to because I needed to upgrade myself in order to progress up the ladder at work,” Mr Sarufi said.
“I need to complete my Diploma programme before I can go on to do my degree; hopefully here at FNU.”
Mr Sarufi previously worked with Solomon Islands Ministry of Health and Medical Services in the Department of Environment Health and the Rural Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (RWASH) Programme that directly dealt with rural communities to ensure clean water supply and proper sanitation.
“My area of work is very specific and 40 per cent of what I study here is relevant to my work. The training is very specific and with the practical classes, it gives us a feel for the reality of work and how to handle different situations when it arises,” he said.
“I am excited about this year and I am pleased more students from the Solomons are coming across to study at FNU because we adjust easily to the life here and there are a lot of similarities so it almost feels like we are home away from home.”
Mr Sarufi encouraged people of all ages to never give up on educating themselves and to go forward for a higher qualification.
Source: Fiji National University
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