Chand Graduates With Second Masters
British American Tobacco Fiji (BAT Fiji) engagement manager Christopher Chand graduated with his second Master Degree during the University of Fiji (UniFiji) graduation ceremony at the Saweni Campus, Lautoka, last Friday.
The former journalist graduated with a Master of International Relations and Diplomacy. Mr Chand said he enrolled in the programme in 2021 due to reduced working hours during COVID-19, and used his free time during lockdowns to study. “My goal has always been to invest in my education after completing my Master of Business Administration (MBA) in 2019,” he said.
“I took a year’s rest from studies then we had COVID-19 and the lockdowns and reduced working hours. All these free time forced me to look at studying for a second Masters,” Mr Chand said. “Attending this graduation ceremony was a special one for me because we did not have a graduation ceremony after completing my MBA due to the lockdowns. It has been quite a journey to have completed two Masters in the past nine years. Juggling work with studies can become chaotic, especially when assignments are due. I’m one of those who always do the assignments at the last minute. “After two Masters you’d think okay one would be satisfied but the fire in the belly continues to push me in this educational journey. At the beginning of this year, I enrolled in the Postgraduate Diploma in Public Law programme.”
Mr Chand is a gold medal recipient of the UniFiji’s MBA programme. He spent seven years at the Fiji Sun progressing to the West Bureau Chief role and as West Manager before joining Fiji Broadcasting Corporation in 2011.
“In 2015, while at FBC I realised that my career was restricted and decided to invest in my education. It’s a decision, I am very fortunate to have taken because after I completed my MBA it unlocked opportunities,” Mr Chand said. “I continued to encourage colleagues to invest in their education, especially my friends in the newsrooms. I am always grateful for the experiences and development from the newsroom. I think it’s the best grooming ground for individuals. If you can handle the pressure and deadlines in a newsroom, you will excel in the corporate world.”
Mr Chand joined Airports Fiji Limited in 2015 where he progressed to the role of communications and public relations manager. In 2022, he briefly joined Aspen Medical at Ba and Lautoka Hospitals as their communications and public relations manager.
In July, the same year, he joined BAT Fiji as its engagement manager in the Corporate and Regulatory Affairs team.