Clapton Underwood and Loata Tabua pose with family members during their graduation certificate collection at FNU.

Clapton Underwood could not contain his excitement as he posed for graduation pictures with his family during his certificate collection from the Fiji National University’s (FNU), Tamavua Campus.

Underwood and his partner – Loata Maria Digeli Tabua – both graduated with a Trade Diploma in Agriculture from FNU’s, College of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (CAFF).

“Today is both a very exciting and emotional day for me,” 21-year-old Underwood said.

“I am glad to graduate in a field I am passionate about as I enjoy working outdoors and spending time in the farm. My two-year learning journey at FNU started off well. I learnt everything I needed to and my practical attachment at the Ministry of Agriculture in Ba allowed me to gain first-hand knowledge and experience in the industry.”

The former Xavier College student grew emotional as he recounted events that slightly delayed his tertiary studies at FNU.

“Both my grandparents passed away within one month of each other so that really impacted me,” Underwood said.

“It happened during my exams and affected two of my units but I just  needed time to process the loss of two people close to me.”

Underwood said he resumed studies last year to complete the units and acknowledged his late grandparents, parents and family for their continuous support.

Tabua, 20, expressed similar sentiments and said she was excited to be qualified and be employed by the industry.

“Nowadays, a lot of people normally think that office work is the only form of employment we would get however that isn’t the case as we have other options such as in the fields of agriculture and construction, for instance.”

“After high school at St John’s College in Cawaci, I knew I wanted to learn in this field and after learning at Koronivia Campus and completing my industrial experience at Jagdish’s Farm in Lokia and at a nursery in Nakasi, I am excited to begin working.”

Tabua hopes to work at an agricultural research station and plans to specialise in the field of Entomology.

The Trade Diploma in Agriculture is one of about 16 programmes offered at Koronivia Campus in the fields of Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry and Animal and Veterinary Science. Interested students can visit our website on www.fnu.ac.fj to learn more. Enrolment for Semester 1, 2021 is currently underway.