Fijian Graduates As Engineer In India

Adiciba Rokobani wanted to make her fam­ily proud when she was awarded the Indi­an Council for Cultural Relation (ICCR) scholarship in 2015. She did just that yesterday.

The 22-year-old graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering and Technology (Electronic and Communication Engineering) from the Sri Ven­kateshwara College of Engineering and Technol­ogy in Andrah Pradesh, India.

She hails from Barotu Village in Saivou, Ra, and has maternal links to Navuniivi Village in Nakorotubu, Ra.

The former student of Ballantine Memorial School said her four years of sacrifice was worth it.

“Being alone in a foreign land, it is like the hap­piest moment of my life. It was not easy, but I did it because with God nothing is impossible,” she said.

“I dedicate my achievement to my parents, fam­ily and friends. I had to go through a lot of chal­lenges when I reached India because when I left Fiji I was at an age where my parents made every decision for me and I relied on them for every­thing.”

She said there were times she wanted to give up, but her parents’ advice before she left for India kept her motivated.

Adiciba Rokobani (right) graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering and Technology (Electronic and Communication Engineering) from the Sri Venkateshwara College of Engineering and Technology in Andrah Pradesh, India.

“Everything was different when I reached India. I had to adjust to the lifestyle, food, culture and language. My father always says ‘nothing comes easy in life so man up and face whatever situa­tion you have because it will make you stronger and always believe in God’ and this has kept me going,” Ms Rokobani said.

“I have achieved my goal and I hope that I have made my village proud.”

She is calling on Fijian students to value educa­tion and never give up despite the challenges to make their parents proud.

She returns to the country next month.

Edited by Naisa Koroi

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