The Fiji National University (FNU) community is proud to celebrate the remarkable achievement of Dr Mohammed Rasheed Igbal, a dedicated scholar whose journey from humble beginnings in Tailevu to earning a PhD is an inspiring testament to perseverance and grit.

Dr Igbal, who is also a Justice of the Peace at FNU, successfully defended his doctoral thesis, making him a true pioneer in surviving hardship as a student to addressing Fiji’s critical agricultural challenges.

His passion for animal science is deeply rooted in his upbringing, which included a strong background in beef production in Tailevu. This firsthand experience with livestock naturally evolved into a focused research interest in how climate change and animal diseases impact Fiji’s vital dairy industry.The path to this success was marked by significant personal struggle, including overcoming barriers presented by a socio-economically disadvantaged background.

Dr Igbal’s academic journey at FNU began in 2014, making a remarkable transition from Certificate TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) to Higher Education (HE) PhD. This path is characterised by a relentless pursuit of knowledge, especially in areas vital to Fiji’s food security. The culmination of his academic work is the conferral of a PhD in Animal Science and Climate Change, a monumental feat that makes him the first PhD holder from the College of Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry (CAFF) at FNU. His doctoral research focused on the topic: “Adaptive capacity of the Fijian dairy industry to climate change and animal diseases.”

This milestone follows a significant body of prior work, including being the first student to complete both a Postgraduate Diploma in Agriculture (FNU) and a Masters by Research in Animal Science (FNU), where he studied the Impact of Mastitis and Tuberculosis on the Dairy Industry in Fiji. His comprehensive academic background also includes a Certificate III in Commercial Agriculture (FNU), a Trade Diploma in Animal Husbandry (FNU), a Bachelor of Science in Animal Husbandry (FNU), and a Graduate Certificate in Tertiary Teaching (FNU).

Beyond his studies, Dr Igbal has shown exceptional leadership, which was recognised for his instrumental role in establishing the Fiji National University Students’ Association (FNUSA). His academic and research prowess has been formally acknowledged with him being a two-time recipient of the prestigious Vice Chancellor’s Research Excellence Award, securing the Postgraduate Student Winner title in 2023 and the Runner-Up in 2024.

Furthermore, his expertise is influencing policy and practice across the region, demonstrated by his 15 published research papers with 41 citations in reputable journals and his role as a keynote speaker at five international conferences on critical topics such as The Effects of Climate Change on Animal Production,The Economics and COVID-19 impact of climate change on the Agricultural system in Fiji, Effect of COVID-19 pandemic on Agricultural production and sustainable food system in Fiji,The Significance of Students’ Association to Leadership Development and  Quality Education for Sustainable Futures: A Change Agents in Climate Change and Sustainable Development.

Dr Igbal extends his deepest gratitude to those who guided him through this significant academic undertaking. He acknowledges his Principal Supervisor, Associate Professor Dr Royford Bundi Magiri (Head of the Department of Veterinary Science at FNU), and his Co-Supervisor, Dr Harrison Osundwa Lutta (Adjunct Assistant Professor at FNU and Research Scientist in Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization, Biotechnology Research Institute-Kabete Centre, Kenya) for their invaluable guidance.

He is also indebted to Professor Nii-K Plange, Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies and Research and Dean of the Centre for Graduate Studies, for his scholarly guidance and leadership. With deep appreciation, Dr Igbal acknowledges Professor Paul Ade Iji, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Research and Innovation, for his guidance and support in research and publication. Special thanks are also due to Associate Professor Dr Kaliova Ravuiwasa, Dean of the College of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, for his encouragement and constructive feedback. Finally, Dr Igbal wishes to acknowledge FNU Vice-Chancellor, Professor Unaisi Walu Nabobo-Baba, for her leadership under which FNU has reached a milestone, and for her unwavering support for students and helping remove financial barriers so students can focus on their studies and build a better future for Fiji through FNU Foundation. Now, Dr Igbal is actively contributing to the next generation of animal scientists. After serving as a Graduate Teaching Assistant in 2024, he is currently a Part-Time Lecturer in the Department of Veterinary Science at FNU in 2025.