Graduates at today’s graduation ceremony held at the Vodafone Arena in Suva.

The Fiji National University (FNU) celebrated another historic milestone today after it conferred two PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) Degrees to two of its graduates from the College of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (CAFF) and the College of Business, Hospitality and Tourism Studies (CBHTS).

The PhD graduates are Dr Mohammed Rasheed Iqbal from CAFF and Dr Jazbeen Ali from CBHTS.

Dr Mohammed Rasheed Iqbal with the FNU’s Chancellor and Chair of Council, Mr Semesa Druavesi Karavaki following today’s graduation ceremony.

Today’s graduation ceremony featured a total of 661 graduates from CAFF, CBHTS and the College of Humanities, Education and Law (CHEL) – 57 graduates from CAFF, 420 graduates from CBHTS and 184 graduates from CHEL.

Dr Iqbal, a part-time Lecturer at the Department of Veterinary Science is also the president of the FNU Students’ Association (FNUSA) which he established in 2016.

Through his achievement, graduating today with a PhD in Animal Science and Climate Change, Dr Iqbal actively contributes to the next generation of animal scientists.

Dr Ali, is CBHT’s first-ever Fijian PhD graduate to achieve a PhD in Accounting and Finance.

She currently serves as a Lecturer in Accounting at the FNU Bonunaqwele Nadi Campus.

Dr Jazbeen Ali at today’s graduation ceremony.

FNU’s Chancellor and Chair of Council, Mr Semesa Druavesi Karavaki noted that the graduates must continue their journey of learning.

“The world you enter is rich with opportunity yet filled with challenges that require courageous, capable, and compassionate individuals,” said Mr Karavaki.

“The knowledge you have gained here at FNU is not only for personal advancement but for national development.”

FNU’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Unaisi Nabobo-Baba encouraged the graduates to be bold, be innovative, be compassionate and never stop learning.

“FNU has not only prepared you for a career – you will also make a difference. I often think of graduations that I have attended, the thing that separates each graduand is your personality,” said Professor Nabobo-Baba.

“You can have the highest degree but it is your character, it’s the values that you carry, the values you learnt at FNU and everywhere else, at FNU we talk about Care, we talk about Honesty, we talk about Accountability, we talk about Service and we talk about Excellence.”

Chief Guest at the graduation ceremony for CAFF and CHEL & the King of Fijian Sevens Rugby, Dr Waisale Tikoisolomoni Serevi said that today it showed the hard work, sacrifice and endurance displayed by the graduates.

“In a bible translation 3:6 it says – put God first in all you do ad He will crown your life with success,” he said.

“The vision of FNU and the meaning of achievement – FNU’s vision to be the leading dual- sector university providing lifelong learning opportunities comes alive today.”

Chief Guest at the graduation ceremony for CBHTS and the Chief Executive Officer for the Fiji Development Bank, Mr Filimoni Waqabaca said this moment for all graduates reflected the early mornings of waking up and the many sacrifices made.

“Your education is not just a qualification, but a platform to lift families and contribute to the growth and resilience of our nation,” he said.

Tomorrow’s graduation ceremony will be from the College of Engineering and Technical Vocational Education and Training (CETVET), the National Training and Productivity Centre (NTPC) and the Pacific Centre for Maritime Studies (PCMS) which will take place at the Vodafone Arena in Suva from 09.00am – 01.00pm.

Graduates at today’s graduation ceremony held at the Vodafone Arena in Suva.