Begum’s Gold Medal, A Shock
The perfect surprise awaited Shammeza Begum when she made her way to the Fiji National University (FNU) graduation stage at the Vodafone arena in Suva yesterday. Ms Begum was among five graduates graduating with a Level Four Certificate in Customs.
She called it a shocking surprise when she opened the FNU Graduation Booklet, only to find her name was also listed for the Gold Medal Award section.
“It was a shocking one for me because I didn’t think a science student could go this far,” she said. “Even through the past semester, I was trying to find out what the checklists were to get this award.”
Her family was all smiles when they saw their daughter received her prized possession.
Ms Begum said her biggest motivation was her son.
“I dedicate this award to my son, who motivates me to push and move on,” she said.
“I studied Science at the University of the South Pacific (USP) in 2007, left that for a while, and then I thought to come and try something different. Now I want more medals like this one.”
She said her biggest challenge was balancing studies and being a mother.
“My advice to other students who may have the same story as I do, ‘Not everything you learn in school is guaranteed to be your future; tap into your talent and what you know you can do and see yourself flourish like me,” she said.
There were 442 students graduated yesterday, 111 of which graduated from the College of Business, Hospitality and Tourism studies (CBHTS) and 31 from the College of Fisheries and Forestry (CAFF).