Wilfred Loki with his aunt.
Wilfred Loki will use the qualifications and skills he attained at the Fiji National University (FNU) to ensure that his village in the Solomon Islands has electricity.
The 25-year-old from Nela, Santa Cruz Islands in the Temotu Province of the Solomon Islands, graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering with Honours (Electrical) from FNU’s College of Engineering, Science and Technology (CEST).
“I studied this programme because we are from a village that does not have electricity, I want to provide a source of electricity to my people, and that is what I will do once I am home,” he said.
Loki was also awarded the Telecom Fiji Limited (TFL) Topper in CEST prize during the March graduation ceremony. He attributed the success to his mother, who is his biggest supporter and inspiration in his life.
“My father passed when I was just about to turn three years old, and my mum has been my biggest inspiration. I want to thank my mum for performing both the roles of my mother and father as I was growing up,” he said emotionally.
“I am grateful to God, for the wonderful opportunity, and would also like to thank the sponsor, TFL, as well as my FNU lecturers, my colleagues, the students, and my family.”
The ambitious Solomon Islander said the timing for the award was perfect, and that he will use the $1000 prize money to pay for his airfare back to the Solomon Islands.
“I have been away from home for four years now. I came to Fiji in 2019, the following year COVID-19 hit Fiji, and I have been here since. I am excited to go back and see my mother.” During COVID-19, the regional student faced a lot of hardships, but he came on top striving through the support of his friends and family.”
“Surviving in a foreign country is hard, but I stayed with my aunt, Rose Kitua and a friend of mine, by the name of James, paid for my fees in the final year, and with the money I was paid at attachment, I paid for my lunch and transport.” FNU Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Unaisi Nabobo-Baba congratulated the fresh graduate on winning the TFL topper award.
“From today onwards, you will be wellpositioned to make good decisions for all of us, you will contribute to the Fijian society, to Pacific society. I know that our Wantok from Melanesia took the most coveted prize. Congratulations, Wantok!” she said.
Loki’s advice to students is to keep working hard and never give up.
Virtual Careers Teachers Workshop
Careers teachers in the maritime regions can also be part of the Fiji National University’s (FNU), inaugural Careers Teachers Workshop by participating in the virtual session to be conducted tomorrow, Wednesday, 5 April 2023.
The online workshop follows the success of the nation-wide workshop that was held at FNU’s Ba, Namaka, Nasinu and Naduna campuses last month. A total of 140 teachers participated in the face-to-face workshops.
For further information, interested participants can contact the Outreach Team on outreach@fnu.ac.fj