Vishal Nand with his mum, Uttra Mani and FNU academic, Osea Kasami at the 2025 FNU Roadshow in Nadi.

For 17-year-old Vishal Nand, making his parents proud was his top priority while in school.

Previously a student at Lomawai Secondary School in Sigatoka, Nand didn’t perform well academically but he still had the courage to do better to make his parents happy.

His parents have been sugarcane farmers for more than 50 years in Sigatoka.

The Arts student who turned up with his mother, Uttra Mani, to the 2025 Fiji National University Roadshow at the My FNPF Centre in Nadi, said being the first customer at the booth to receive his Offer Letter and pursue the programme – Certificate in Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning (Level 4) was a dream come true.

The programme falls under the FNU’s College of Engineering and Technical Vocational Education and Training (CETVET).

“This job is in demand, and it was my passion to do this programme,” he said.

“Helping my parents out is my plan because they are very hardworking on the farm, and I am lucky that my siblings who are abroad help me out.

“I was not very good at studying, but I picked up when I came to high school.”

The first day of the 2025 FNU Roadshow in Nadi was a success bringing in people from all walks of life.

He said the only challenge he faced in school was not being a fast learner but that did not dampen his spirits to accomplish his goal of attending university.

Mani said, she was proud of her son and seeing him receive his Offer Letter today was an added blessing.

Nineteen-year-old Raijeli Nasogo was also fortunate to receive her Offer Letter pursuing the programme – Bachelor of Education (Primary) with FNU’s College of Humanities, Education and Law (CHEL) today.

Nasogo, also a former student of Lomawai Secondary School, said it was always her passion to become a teacher.

She is the sixth child of 11 siblings and is grateful to her hardworking parents for their constant support.