65 students (from the Faculties of Arts, Health and Sciences, Business and Law, and Informatics and Communication) graduated from CQU Fiji International Campus this month in a ceremony filled with applause of family and friends who have supported them through their years of university study.

There were stirring renditions of the Australian and Fijian National Anthems and the students processed regally to the strains of “Trumpet Voluntary”.

Amid cheers, tears and camera flashes, the justifiably proud graduates received the material representation of their years of hard work -- that small piece of paper that proves they have the skills, knowledge and determination to succeed.

Sina Kami, a graduate of the Bachelor of Business Administration and a recipient of the Fiji International Campus (FIC) Director’s Achievement Award, delivered an emotionally charged and poignant closing address that brought tears and cheers from her classmates.

Other recipients of the FIC Director’s Achievement Awards were Surendra Kumar – MIS, Prabal Arora – MBA (International Business), MBA (Marketing Management), Mohammed Atif – BIT, Necani Koroi – B.Bus (Management) and Rozeline Krishna – MBA (Management Accounting). These awards recognise students who not only perform extremely well in their own academic endeavours, but who also showed a strong commitment to fellow students, the University and the community, and display outstanding potential for significant leadership in their future careers.

Vice Chancellor and President Glenice Hancock told graduates they were the “most important part of the university” and Campus Director Jim George encouraged all graduates – including ones from Namibia, China, Sri Lanka and Tonga – to advance their own careers while contributing to the regional and local communities. The Fiji Nursing Association’s Kuini Lutua welcomed newly graduated nurses, saying they were a necessity for the country and not luxury. Impressed with their enthusiasm and energy, Lutua hoped the new health professionals would stay in the region, but suggested many would leave for “greener pastures” if the “government [couldn’t] pay them what they deserve.” The day’s events concluded with an informal gathering of friends and family. An ensemble of current students performed traditional dance and internationally renowned guitarist Tom Maui entertained the audience.

Fiji’s next graduation ceremony is October.

--Craig Macdonnell