From Instagram scroll to national win for young medical student

What began as a casual scroll on Instagram has led to a major achievement for 19-year-old medical student Mohammed Zuber, who was named the 1st Category Winner – Senior Category in the Pact for the Future Essay Contest.

Mr Zuber, a second-year dental student at the  School of Medicine, said he came across the competition on a random Sunday.

“I was scrolling Instagram instead of studying and I’m a winner now, so scrolling sometimes really helps,” he said.

Reflecting on the inspiration behind his essay, Mr Zuber said the contest stood out to him because of its relevance to Fiji’s current situation as he pointed to growing concerns around political accountability.

He said such issues were especially important for young people to think about, particularly given his own experience in youth parliament.

“These things are really quite a concern for me,” Mr Zuber said.

His winning essay focused on the importance of youth participation, arguing that young people are the foundation of the future.

He said that youth must be actively involved in shaping decisions that affect them, particularly in areas like governance, politics, and community development.

“If youths are not placed at the forefront, then what’s the whole point of having youth participation?” he said.

Mr Zuber also said the need to challenge the perception that young people are incapable.

He said youth can contribute at the highest level if given the opportunity, adding that this mindset needs to change across society.

Balancing his academic workload with writing the essay was one of his biggest challenges.

As a medical student, managing time effectively was crucial, but he said planning and knowing what needed to be done helped him overcome those challenges.

Beyond his studies, Mr Zuber is also active in advocacy work, focusing on issues such as climate change, youth unemployment, and gender-based violence.

He said the essay aligned with his passion for these topics, making it a meaningful experience for him. Despite his success,  the achievement is not just personal but a reminder of a bigger responsibility.

He emphasised that young people should not wait for change but actively contribute to it.

“We cannot just hope for change, but we have to be a part of it,” Mr Zuber said.

Mr Zuber encouraged other young people to use writing as a tool for expression and influence, saying it can be a powerful way to have their voices heard.

“Writing is the second voice that gets recognized you never know, you could be like first, like me today.”

His journey from a casual Instagram scroll to national recognition highlights the potential of young people in Fiji and reinforces the growing call for youth to take an active role in shaping their future.