Double celebration for Labasa law graduate

A Labasa schoolteacher who completed a Master of Laws (LLM) in one year while caring for his pregnant wife graduated at the University of the South Pacific’s Laucala Campus today.

He described it as a double celebration.

Shalvin Shavnil Kumar, 30, graduated with a LLM and is already enrolled as a PhD student in human rights law at the University of the South Pacific (USP).

He is the first in his family to graduate with a law degree.

Mr Kumar’s wife, Sheema Lata, 28, is nine months pregnant, with their first child due next month.

“It is indeed a double celebration,” Mr Kumar said. “We are expecting a baby soon.”

Despite hospital admissions and the demands of pregnancy, Ms Lata attended the graduation and supported her husband throughout.

“She was always there with me,” Mr Kumar said.

“She did most of the household chores and always gave me time to study.”

The Labasa man, who holds a Bachelor of Arts, a Graduate Certificate in Education, and a Bachelor of Laws (LLB), has been teaching in Labasa while completing his master’s degree part-time at USP.

He has begun teaching at USP and plans to move to Suva to take up a full-time lecturing position.

“Never lose hope,” he said. “Always say, ‘I can do it,’ and one day you will be able to do it.”

His message comes from someone who has built his academic career qualification by qualification and has no plans to stop.

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