Ellen Karkal believes the Fiji National University (FNU) will help transform her dreams into reality.

The 22-year-old, originally from Papua New Guinea (PNG), was among the students and the members of the public who were part of FNU’s Open Day this month.

Karkal (pictured left), accompanied by her adopted grandmother, successfully enrolled in the College of Humanities and Education (CHE) Bachelor of Arts (Education) in Counselling programme on the second day of the annual event.

The bright young lady from ≈ was pursuing a Bachelor of Education (Language and Literature) at the University of Goroka in Papua New Guinea. However, her love for Fiji brought her back to the country.

“I am originally from Papua New Guinea but grew up in Fiji. Since my father worked for the Pacific Community (SPC), I did my primary school and high school studies here in Fiji,” the eager 22-year-old explained.

“I have been doing my Bachelor of Education in PNG, and I am currently in the beautiful country for a holiday, so I was like, why not? I miss Fiji, and I want to come back!”

“FNU is the perfect place, as they say, to turn dreams into reality, which was also this year’s Open Day theme, I believe FNU will turn my dreams into reality: to go out and teach young people in the community!”

Karkal, the eldest of three children and the only girl, said her late grandmother has always inspired her in life.

“My late grandmother has served as an inspiration to me in my life because she never had the opportunity to attend school—she was the youngest of eight children, but she still learnt everything on her own, and really well!” she exclaimed.

“I want to be a teacher because I read a lot, and I want to instill my love for learning in young children who want to learn about the world around them. I think teaching is the best thing I can do.”

Karkal also commended the services provided by staff at the Academic Office.

“I decided to cross-credit my programme to FNU, and I am ready to start my studies at FNU in Semester 1, 2024,” she said.

“I sort of came here on a whim, and I did not want to make the application online; face-to-face applications are always better, and it was such a fun atmosphere to come and enrol, at the Open Day. The staff at the Academic Office were nice and very helpful.”

Source: FNUNIKUA – Fiji National University’s (FNU)