Grandmother graduates with an MBA degree

Fifty-five-year-old Martha Fatiaki had an inspiring story to share with her fellow graduates from the University of the South Pacific yesterday at the Girmit Centre in Lautoka. At an age when most people considered retirement, the happy mother of four sons and the grandmother of five yesterday graduated with a Master of Business Administration (MBA). While giving her testimony of success before 92 fellow graduates, Mrs Fatiaki said: “So I am a grandmother who is about to retire, but I make no apologies for pursuing an MBA. I am a living proof that learning has no age limits.

“Graduation is a significant milestone and a personal achievement in our lives. No matter how old each one of us are, we’ll remember this day clearly.

“Let me tell you all today, not to judge us by our age or outward appearances because all of us graduates are young in mind and spirit.” She thanked her professors for recognising the potential and admitting her as a mature student. Ms Fatiaki’s graduation ceremony was also witnessed by her husband and son. She said there was no end to education and she had more to come in her career and life. Edited by Rusiate Mataika