The number of students graduating with postgraduate degrees from the University of South Pacific (USP) is on the rise, according to Vice-Chancellor Professor Rajesh Chandra.
Speaking at a recent graduation ceremony held recently at the Vodafone Arena in Suva, he said more than 27% of the students who graduated at the end of the last semester were postgraduates.
Among them was the late Cakau Jese Verebalavu, lecturer at the Faculty of Business of Economics, who was awarded a Doctorate (PhD) posthumously.
More than 800 students graduated with undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.
“There were 76 students with masters degrees and four with PhD. The result was in line with the USP’s Strategic Plan to increase the number of postgraduate students in the region,” he said.
Professor Chandra said the increase in the number of students with higher degree qualifications was through coursework and theses.
He urged students graduating with masters degrees to consider continuing their studies at the doctorate level.
Speaking on behalf of the students, Edgar John from Solomon Islands described Fiji as a ‘good host country.’
“As well as academic development, we were exposed to a unique multicultural environment at the USP,” he said.
Arti Devi, who graduated with a double major in computing and mathematics, said she was keen to pursue higher education.
Professor Chandra said the USP had produced more than 30, 000 graduates since its inception 42 years ago.
“I am happy that our University has played an important role in the South Pacific region as the premier provider of higher level education. This is a place where many of the region’s leaders have spent their formative years, gaining intellectual exposure and leadership expertise,” he said.
The University’s ‘Open Day’ saw a number of aspirants.
Suva Grammar School Form Six student Tia Daveta said that she was encouraged to study at the USP after attending the event.
Her interest is in journalism. Like many young people, Daveta was concerned about getting a well-paid job after graduating.
“I know that I will make it to the journalism programme but I am not sure if I will get a good job after I graduate,” she said.
Adi Cakabau School Form Seven student and Prefect Lilly Naisau said the Open Day provided her with much-needed information.
“It was a very enlightening experience and I am weighing my options to see which field or profession suites me,” she said.
The above report, written by Sarah Vamarasi, Sherita Sharma and Kasim Mohammed, students of the University of South Pacific, appeared in Wansolwara, a ‘Training Newspaper’ produced by the students of the Institution. Journalism Division Head and Senior Lecturer Shailendra Singh said it was a laudable effort.
