Today, we celebrate 𝑭𝒓𝒂𝒔𝒆𝒓 𝑴𝒄𝑫𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍𝒅 𝑩𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒗𝒂𝒍𝒖, one of our most inspiring graduates from the FNU College of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, a young man whose journey reflects resilience, love, and an unbreakable spirit.

A former student of 𝐃𝐢𝐥𝐤𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐚 𝐌𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥, Fraser’s life changed forever when he lost his mother to leukemia at the age of 11. Her passing brought deep pain, but it also ignited a powerful determination within him. He committed himself to his education, driven by the promise to honour her memory.

Coming from a humble background, Fraser achieved what no one in his family had ever accomplished, 𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐚 𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐝𝐥𝐲 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐞.

Despite emotional challenges and financial hardship, Fraser stayed focused and steadfast in his journey. Today, he graduates with a 𝑪𝒆𝒓𝒕𝒊𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝑨𝒈𝒓𝒊𝒄𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒂𝒍 𝑺𝒄𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 (𝑳𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍 3), marking not only a personal victory but a historic milestone for his family.

What makes Fraser’s story even more touching is what he did after the graduation ceremony. 𝐒𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐢𝐧 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐠𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞, 𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫’𝐬 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐞. There, with immense emotion, he showed her his certificate, a symbolic moment of fulfillment, gratitude, and love.

Fraser’s story is more than a graduation celebration.

It is a son honoring his mother. It is a young man breaking generational barriers. It is proof that loss can be transformed into purpose.

His message to young people is simple yet profound:

“Your hardships do not define you. Let them strengthen you. Rise above, and chase the future you deserve.”