As a young boy, Ashtosh Singh was always fascinated by fuse boxes and powerlines. He was always eager to work in the field. Having made up his mind at a young age, he worked towards this goal.

“I did not want to be confined to a desk and chair. I always wanted to be out and about,” said Singh.

Singh currently works as a High Voltage Technician in The Lines Company in Auckland, New Zealand.

Youngest of four siblings, Singh was born and bred in Viseisei, Lautoka. He attended Viseisei Primary School and Namaka Public School to obtain primary school education. He attained his secondary education from Natabua High School.

In the final year of high school, Singh applied to study a Diploma in Electrical Engineering (Electrical and Renewable Energy) at the Fiji National University’s (FNU) College of Engineering, Science and Technology (CEST).

“I always wanted to do a trade in the field of engineering. Since I had an interest in the electrical field, I chose to study Diploma in Electrical Engineering (Electrical and Renewable Energy) at FNU,” said Singh.

Singh embarked on a journey much travelled by youths his age although it is easier for some than others.

He was excited as well as awed as it was the first time he was going to stay away from home.

“Life at FNU was fun and interesting. It was a whole new life for me as I had stayed home with my parents all my life.  Moving to Suva and living on my own was very challenging. I had classes all day from 8am till 4pm with just an hour of break for lunch. At first all this was hard on me but soon it made me strong and focused,” he said.

Singh had a wonderful experience studying at FNU and says that the skills and qualification he achieved at FNU has given him the opportunity to grow.

“Studying at FNU has given me the hallmark gesture to be recognised as an Engineering Graduate in the Asia Pacific Region,” Singh said.

“The lecturers were awesome, very helpful and intelligent; they always went out of their way to assist the students in projects and assignments and made sure that there was a 100% pass rate. I loved every bit of my university life,” he added.

He graduated in 2013 and began working for Trade Supplies Limited in Walu Bay, Suva as a Sales Engineer. He worked here for three months before moving back to Lautoka to live with his parents and work there.

During this time he worked for Motibhai Bhai and Company Limited as an Electrician. In 2014, he joined Energy Fiji Limited as an Electrical Technician – Substation. He worked there till February 2019 before moving to New Zealand.

Speaking about his present job, Singh said, “Currently I am a High Voltage Technician with The Lines Company in the Waikato Region of New Zealand. I carry out testing and commissioning of High Voltage switch gears. The best part of my job is going around the largest region of New Zealand, seeing new places and making new friends.”

Singh credits his success to his parents who he says have always been supportive of his decisions and have always encouraged him to give everything he does the best shot.

His advice to current and future students of FNU is to always aim high and take every opportunity to learn.

“Always aim high. If your aim is high, chances are you will achieve something closer to your aim if not your aim itself. Also take every opportunity to learn. You can never know everything. There is always room to learn more,” he said.

Singh wishes to further his education and attain a Degree in Electrical Engineering in the near future.