Back to school after 15 years, Lautoka woman graduates for late son

Fifteen years after leaving school, a Lautoka businesswoman returned to tertiary education and graduated on Thursday alongside her sister and niece.

The University of the South Pacific (USP) graduate dedicated her achievement to her son, whom she lost at age four.

Kriti Chand, 36, director of Western Aluminium Joinery Pte Ltd in Lautoka, graduated with a Diploma in Counselling Level 5, her second qualification after completing Certificate Level 4 last year.

She stopped studying after Form 7 (Year 13) and did not return to the classroom for nearly 15 years until her sister, Ajeshni Sharma, encouraged her to enrol.

“Education starts anytime. There is no age for education,” Ms Chand said. “You can start anytime and there is no age limit to end your education.”

She said the counselling course has helped her manage staff at her aluminium and glass business, where she is the only woman working alongside male employees.

Ms Chand dedicated her achievement to her late son, Kevin Fong, who died in 2019 at age four after falling suddenly ill.

“This graduation and my achievement, I would like to dedicate it to my son whom I lost,” she said.

She is now continuing towards a Diploma in Counselling Level 6 and hopes to eventually study psychology at postgraduate level.

Ms Chand credited family support for making it possible, describing a household of eight where children sacrificed time so she and her sister could complete assignments.

“Family is behind everything,” she said.

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