In order to make it to her classes at the Fiji National University’s (FNU) Narere campus, Lusia Tinai had to start travelling at 5am, from her home at Nadaro Vugalei, Tailevu.

Yesterday, the 26-year-old was one of 118 students who graduated from the university’s College of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (CAFF) at the FMF Gymnasium in Suva yesterday. She received a Certificate in Trade Diploma in Applied Fisheries.

The National Training and Productivity Centre (NTPC) saw 110 students graduate also.

Despite the challenges, the proud mother of a two-week-old daughter said she would not give up on her studies.

“Attending lectures for two and a half years during pregnancy was the biggest challenge I faced,” she said.

She acknowledged that if it weren’t for the support of her husband and parents, she would not have succeeded.

“It does not mean that you are a mother now, so you are not allowed to study,” Ms Tinai said. “It wasn’t easy for me, but I am grateful to my family for sacrificing their time to take care of my daughter in order to see me climb a ladder.

“My parents told me to become something big in life.”

Ms Tinai said she was also able to tackle her challenges with the help of her lecturers.

“They helped me in my school work and ensured that I could graduate,” she said.

Edited by Jonathan Bryce

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