Khan Scoops Top Awards at Graduation
Learn to persevere in the face of the toughest challenge. This was the message from the outstanding graduate of the Fiji National University’s School of Dentistry and Oral Health Kaitlyn Khan.
Ms Khan, 23, was amongst 17 other graduates that graduated with their Bachelor of Dental Surgery yesterday.
She was awarded the Dean’s Honours Award, the Braham Pearlman Award for Outstanding Achievement in Clinical Dentistry and the award for Outstanding Achievement in Dental Research.
The former Yat Sen Secondary School student said the five years leading towards obtaining her Degree was never an easy one.
“It was a challenge for the first two years but as it went on it became quite interesting because it came to the practical side of things,” she said.
“It wasn’t easy, there were lots of late nights and tense situations but all that has paid off today.”
She said the best memory of her five years learning journey was when she visited a village for the first time.
“The inspiration of becoming a dentist was drawn from wanting to make a difference in people’s lives.
“The first time I got exposed to a village setting was when we toured Wainimakutu Village, everyone was so hospitable and friendly, and they treated us like family.
“To see the villagers smile and just be grateful after receiving treatment that really made us happy. It reminded me of the purpose I was doing Dentistry, to make a difference in people’s lives.”
She dedicated her achievements to her family and especially to her Grandmother.
Her advice to youths was: “If you take up what you desire to study and you are faced with hurdles you have to learn to persevere. Be persistent and take on challenges with a positive attitude always.”