FNU Student Shines In Inaugural Disability Awards

Fiji National University (FNU) Stu­dent of the Year winner Iosefa Vukevuke believes everyone, in­cluding persons with disabilities, is able to accomplish anything they set out to achieve.

Mr Vukevuke was announced the win­ner at the inaugural Disability Gala Awards Nite in Suva last weekend. He re­ceived the award from FNU Vice Chancel­lor Professor Nigel Healey.

“I was so proud to win the award. I feel like I have achieved something and that I am recognised for the knowledge and tal­ent that I have,” Mr Vukevuke said.

“My university experience at FNU was a very challenging, but positive one as I was given the assistance I needed by those at FNU.

“I continued to work hard to achieve my certificate and received tremendous sup­port from those around me and I did not let my visual impairment stop me.

“I would also like to take this opportuni­ty to thank the organisers and the United Blinds Person of Fiji for their support and to the Fiji National University for al­lowing me to enrol into the University.”

Mr Vukevuke, 42, completed his Certifi­cate IV in Music qualification last year at FNU’s Nasinu Campus.

He enjoys helping people and was ac­tively involved in music programmes or­ganised by the school during his studies at FNU.

“I am now continuing my tertiary edu­cation and my ambition is to teach chil­dren with special needs,” Mr Vukevuke said.

During his address, Professor Healey announced FNU’s commitment to spon­sor the University Student of the Year award for the next three years.

“It is clear that the Disability Gala Awards Nite is a welcome and long over­due celebration of the achievements of Fijians with disabilities and I applaud Rajnel’s determination for this to become an annual fixture in the national calen­dar,” Professor Healey said.

“When FNU was approached to spon­sor one of the five original awards, I ex­plained that we are not a corporation that sponsors third parties.

Professor Healey encouraged other sponsors to consider making similar long-term sponsorship commitments to­wards the event.

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