Marica Meo (right) and Maraia Veitoyaki at the FNU Graduation Ceremony.

The Fiji National University (FNU) Open Day allows students and members of the public to learn about the programmes, entry requirements and support services available at FNU.

The Open Day will be held at the Nasinu Campus, Natabua Campus in Lautoka and Naduna Campus in Labasa on Friday, 21 October and Saturday, 22 October at the Nasinu Campus only.

Students will be able to visit the FNU Open Day and learn more about the study opportunities and career pathways available to them at the various Colleges, such as the College of Humanities and Education (CHE). CHE offers programmes under its School of Communication, Language and Literature (SCLL), School of Arts and Humanities (SAH) and the School of Education (SOE).

Open Day visitors will also be able to speak to current students and alumni of the College.

CHE graduates Marica Meo and Beranadita Maria Veitoyaki, who graduated with diplomas 17 years ago, recently reunited for their Bachelor of Education degrees at the recent FNU graduation ceremony.

The two were quick to relive their good old days at the Nasinu Campus, which has served as FNU’s main campus since 2010.

“We are delighted to have reconnected 17 years after finishing our studies, and we have exchanged many experiences with each other since then. In some ways, FNU has provided us with the opportunity to reconnect,” she said.

“We met today for the first time in 17 years since I was in Naiyala and Marica was in Vatukoula. We attended our degree classes via Zoom and have been encouraging each other to perform well ever since.”

“Maria is a language teacher at Naiyala Secondary School and I am the Vice-Principal at Nilsen College, so we have accomplished a lot in our teaching careers. We had challenges in our lives, but we overcame them and triumphed against all odds to become who we are today.”

Veitoyaki claimed it was fate that allowed them to graduate together.

“I feel it was all part of God’s plan to bring us back together and share our passion and love for teaching, including studying at FNU and graduating on a high note,” she explained.

“We were both young single girls when we first met, but now we are mothers and have our own families. Our love and friendship are as strong as they were 17 years ago.”

“I am grateful to FNU and the Ministry of Education, Heritage, and Arts for providing us with the opportunity to study and advance in life.”

The 38-year-old friends acknowledged their supportive families for motivating them during their studies.

“Time management was critical for us since we had to balance life with the family, school, and studies,” they said.

“We had a lot of help from our family members during our studies, and it was because of them that we were able to get our Bachelor’s Degree in Education.”

“We also intend to finish our master’s degrees in the near future, because learning should never cease for anyone.”

Both highlighted that university life is one of the most memorable adventures that any student could have, and that the friends they make along the way are friends for life. Meo has completed her Postgraduate studies, while Veitoyaki is now pursuing hers.

The FNU Open Day is open to schools, communities and the general public over the two-day event.