Fifty Fiji National University students are grateful to their students association for their timely assistance.

Five students received scholarships and 45 students received COVID-19 assistance in Nasinu yesterday.

First year Bachelor of Oral Health student, Kulpreet Kaur, said being a private student was not easy for his parents.

“My dad is a mechanic and due to COVID-19 he is working on reduced hours and getting the COVID-19 assistance will help lift some burdens from him,” Ms Kaur said.

“This assistance really means a lot to me and I am thankful to be given a chance to get closer to achieving my dream.”

First year Certificate in Electronic Engineering student, Sufyaan Ali, said the COVID-19 assistance would help reduce some burden from his parents.

“Due to COVID-19, everyone is facing financial difficulties and getting this will help me and my family,” Mr Ali said.

“This COVID-19 assistance will help me get to school and other things which I will need while doing my course.”

Minister for Education Rosy Akbar commended FNU Student Association (FNUSA) for their efforts in helping students.

“COVID-19 has not spared anyone and as a nation we continue to endure this pandemic and we need to work in unity,” Ms Akbar said.

“COVID-19 has basically taught us to work together so let’s battle this pandemic in a more unified manner and progress together.

“No assistance is big or small. No support is big or small. Education of our children has been a priority and will continue to remain so.”

FNUSA national president, Ketan Kirit Lal said the association wanted to give back to the students.

“This is one of FNUSA initiatives that we have in place since we cannot do any event due to the restrictions so the association came up with the idea to help students who needed financial assistance,” Mr Lal said.

“We opened up applications for students, who need assistance and we received more than 50 applications.

“We have phase two that is coming up and we also have scholarship schemes for students; one student from each college will have his/her fees paid by the association.

“There are two schemes; one is tuition scholarship and another is COVID-19 assistance, which includes food voucher, stationery and other assistance.

“We are doing another phase to get more students to benefit from this initiative.”

Edited by Karalaini Waqanidrola

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