FNU graduate Payel Ashwini Lata flaunts her certificate with mother Renuka Devi, sister Priti Lata and father Anil Kumar at FNU Tamavua Campus.

Fiji National University (FNU) graduate Payel Ashwini Lata dedicates her Bachelor of Science in Agriculture certificate to her supportive parents Renuka Devi and Anil Kumar.

Lata said despite the cancellation of the traditional graduation ceremonies, she was delighted to receive her certificate surrounded by family and friends at FNU’s Tamavua Campus.

“I had been waiting for this moment from the day I first set foot at FNU’s College of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (CAFF) Campus in Koronivia and being able to hold this piece of paper in my hands today is the fruit of my parents’ guidance and blessings,” said Lata.

Beaming with pride, Lata’s mother Renuka Devi said watching her daughter overcome all the obstacles to graduate in the programme is a gratifying occasion for her family.

“Studying till daylight with friends away from home, sacrificing family time and prioritizing schoolwork are the pillars of my daughter’s success today.”

“Now that many students who complete high school will be enrolling in tertiary institutions, I would like to encourage the parents to provide immense support and guidance to their children while making a career choice.”

“We must advise them on their choices but children should not be forced to opt for a career according to the choice of their parents,” Devi highlighted.

Coming from a farming background, Lata’s curiosity on how modern technology can be incorporated into traditional way farming led her to choose Agricultural Science while in high school.

“I have grown up watching my father work on our farm and I will forever be grateful to my parents for supporting my decision of pursuing a career in a field which has the perception of being male-dominated.”

“I did my research before enrolling in this programme and I was pleased to note that there has been a significant rise in female graduates in the field of agriculture studies.”

The 21-year-old undertook her attachment at Naduruloulou Agriculture Research Station and Jan’s Poultry Farm where she enjoyed putting into practise what she learnt back at the College.

According to Lata, the most exciting component of her internship was conducting grafting and budding at the Naduruloulou Agriculture Research Station.

“These are horticultural techniques used to join parts of two or more plants so that they appear to grow as a single plant.”

Lata is looking forward to furthering her studies in agricultural science.