Graduates Pay Tribute To Late Classmate Mori
Astudent who tragically passed weeks before his graduation was remembered with a minute of a silence during the Fiji National Graduation ceremony yesterday. Alfred Rokuro Mori, a 27-year-old father, was set to receive his Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Health but lost his life in a fatal car accident in November near his home.
Friends and relatives from his home country of the Federated States of Micronesia represented Mr Mori at the graduation ceremony in honour of his achievements. “Alfred was a really funny guy to be around and he liked to help people and I think everyone remembers him the same way,” said his cousin Renee Mori.
“I remember when we received a phone call on the day of his death – all of us were just so shocked and we all thought it was a prank.”
His wife and five-year-old son have both returned to FSM for the funeral.
His friend and fellow graduate Nick Santiago said: “He (Mr Mori) was a genuinely nice guy and was more like a brother to me.” “He was very passionate about environmental issues and climate change which is the reason he took up the subject. He was also a very good basketball player.” While 608 students graduated from the College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences in its biggest December ceremony, Mr Mori’s absence was felt by his classmates.
The master of ceremonies at the graduation said Mr Mori was remembered as a ‘dedicated and hardworking student’.