Couple Graduate Together with Engineering Degrees

 It is not every day that we get to see a couple defying all odds to graduate on the same day and from the same program of study.

This is precisely what happened at the Fiji National University (FNU) graduation ceremony on Thursday.

Husband and wife Gerard Young, 33 and Eleni Tabua, 32 graduated from the Fiji National University with engineering degrees, with Ms Tabua also scooping the Engineers Fiji Prize for female topper.

Fiji Sun spoke to them about their educational journey.

Gerard Young

While walking away with a Bachelor of Engineering (Upper Second Class) degree would be a daunting task for the average person, Mr Young said the trick lay in balancing things.

“Balancing has always been a part of my life since I was a kid - this is a life lesson my dad taught me from a young age. I schedule the days and the week and do my best to stick to it,” Mr Young said.

He had to sacrifice a lot and even missed functions and leisure time to achieve his target.

“Things got really tough at times but it was God’s guidance and the support of his colleagues that saw me through,”

“At one point, one of the structural units was very difficult and I thought I would not pass but after speaking to our directors, he encouraged me to give it my best attempt and somehow I managed to pass the unit. In fact, my wife and I did not fail any unit and that is something we are proud of.”

He works as a project engineer and team leader at Hydraulics and Wet Fire Protection Services at Irwin Alsop Pacific Pte Ltd.

Eleni Tabua

Ms Tabua, a senior technical officer for Hydraulics and Wet Fire Protection Services and directors’ executive officer at Irwin Alsop Pacific Pte Ltd shared her husband’s sentiments saying she had her own share of challenges like any other person.

“I have gone through my fair share of struggles like any other working student though I would credit my support systems that enabled me to pull through this journey,” she said.

“My support system is my family, employers, Graduate Women Fiji, Engineers Fiji Ladies and the VC Squash Club family.” 

She said the idea that she would be the first in her family to graduate with a Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) degree with honours made her want to be an inspiration to her younger nieces and nephews.

When asked what her trick was, she said it was through careful planning that she was able to cope with things.

“I would prepare my schedule on a weekly basis and did my best to follow suit, even planning ahead if I have project deadlines at work and assignments at school that would clash - being proactive is one of the major factors of balancing all those tasks.”

She plays squash to distress and refocus.

“Last year during the first semester, one of my biggest supporters passed away, my dearest mother, Akesa Tabua. She was one of the biggest advocates of education in my family.”

For now, the couple plan to focus on their career but further studies are not completely out of the picture.

Eleni Tabua and Gerard Young with their degrees on December 14, 2023.

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