Tracing her heritage across the islands, Lucy Victoria Vuetaki Tifere claims paternal lineage from Juju, Rotuma, and maternal lineage from Makadru, Matuku, Lau. This powerful heritage, combined with her passion for problem-solving, is the wellspring for her remarkable resilience and self-belief.

A proud graduate of the Fiji National University (FNU), Lucy earned her Bachelor’s with Honours in Electronics Engineering (Instrumentation and Control). Her academic feat was supported by the generous Pacific Award Scholarship from Graduate Women New Zealand and Graduate Women Fiji.

Her time at FNU was defining: “I navigated my Electronics Engineering programme as the sole female student,” Lucy shares. “It taught me resilience, focus, and confidence as I learned to navigate a field where women were underrepresented. Those experiences strengthened my determination to succeed and showed me that with perseverance, passion, and self-belief, obstacles can be surpassed.”

Lucy’s passion for engineering was originally sparked by her family: her grandfather, whose patience with repairing appliances modeled curiosity and persistence, and her grandmothers strong, independent women whose determination became her compass. This family foundation was fully realised in her capstone project, a Real-Time Speaker Recognition System. This technology, with its potential to enhance security and create vital assistive devices, reinforced her core belief that engineering can directly improve people’s lives.

She holds deep appreciation for the support of Graduate Women New Zealand and Graduate Women Fiji, who are empowering women in STEM and opening vital doors for the next generation. The academic foundation she gained at the Fiji National University proves the institution’s capacity to cultivate world-class talent and drive significant success.

Her message to all aspiring young girls is clear: “Believe in yourself, pursue your curiosity relentlessly, and never let societal expectations define your potential. Remember, women can, and women will, your ideas, passion, and determination can truly shape the future.”

Ready to achieve your potential and build a strong career like Lucy? Enrol at Fiji National University and see what you can accomplish!