Chand first in his family with a degree
‘I was relieved and joyful to receive my official Postgraduate Certificate in Health Research’
Fiji National University (FNU) Bachelor of Civil Engineering (Honours) student Alvin Chand preferred to have been presented his degree during the graduation ceremony last week.
University graduations were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The cancellation of the graduation was a bit of underwhelming as this was something I was looking forward to,” Mr Chand said.
“Being presented with a degree on stage makes the feeling more special, but I do accept that because of the situation, such is impossible,” he said.
Mr Chand said he was privileged to have graduated with a degree, especially being away from home to achieve his goal.
“Since we had no ceremony, I missed to see smiles on my parents face,” he said.
He said his parents were overjoyed because he was the first in his family to have a degree. Meanwhile, FNU College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences student Chandani Prakash was also looking forward to being called to the front to receive her certificate.
“I was relieved and joyful to receive my official Postgraduate Certificate in Health Research,” Ms Prakash said.
Ms Prakash has received an overseas scholarship to study at the UNICAF University for her Master of Science in Healthcare Management.
“My journey has just begun. There was so much more to accomplish,” she said. “Graduation day is a special day. You do so much for a couple of years as there is so much hard work and commitment you have had to put into it.
“And when you are finally done, it means the world to you.”