2019 Stories

Road to Civil Engineering
As a young boy, Shivnesh Sharma was intrigued by the designs and construction of infrastructure such as roads, buildings and bridges.  He admired people who worked at constructions sites and roads. However, at this point he did not know that there was a field of study dedicated to this. Sharma grew up in Tavakubu, Lautoka with his parents and younger sibling.  While growing up Sharma would always think about pursuing a career in that field. In primary school one of his teachers told him...Read More
A Surgical Registrar’s Journey
Being raised by a Medical Doctor, Salesi Akau’ola was keen to follow in his father’s footsteps. “I’ve always admired doctors, particularly surgeons. My aim was, and still is, to become a really good surgeon in the future,” he said. Akau’ola grew up in Nuku’alofa, Tonga. He attended primary and secondary schools there before moving to Fiji to pursue further studies at the then Fiji School of Medicine (FSM), now College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences in 2007. ...Read More
Beauty Queen and Senior Pharmacy Technician
The reigning Ms. Friendly North, Naima Shazmeen is the perfect combination of beauty and brains.  Advocating on antibiotic resistance, Shazmeen is a Senior Pharmacy Technician. Shazmeen was born and raised in Tovata, a residential community located approximately five kilometers from Labasa Town.  Her father was a Police Officer and her mother looked after the family. She has an elder brother who works for Intercontinental Golf Resort and Spa. She attained her primary education fr...Read More
The Water Engineer
Wanting to make a difference in the lives of people, Kolinio Tamanisau was determined to pursue further studies in the engineering field. “I chose to pursue an engineering course because I hoped to make a difference in people’s lives.  Engineering looks for practical solutions to daily problems and this influenced my decision to pursue the field,” he said. Today, Tamanisau is a Graduate Water Engineer in the Planning and Design Unit for the Water Authority of Fiji (WAF). ...Read More
Civil Engineering – from China to Fiji
Like most young children, Bilash Prasad would often imagine himself in jobs ranging from being a pilot to a fireman to a farmer.  However, the profession that appealed to him most was that of an engineer.  “Choosing civil engineering was easy as I wanted to be an engineer one day,” he said.   Eldest of three siblings, Prasad grew up in Korovatu, Labasa.  He knew that becoming an engineer would mean going for studies to Suva, away from home, but that did not deter him.  Det...Read More