Sahil Shivnesh Chand | Bachelor of Commerce | Fiji
We are delighted to feature Sahil Shivnesh Chand, a Bachelor of Commerce graduate from the USP Labasa Campus. Sahil’s journey exemplifies remarkable resilience, demonstrating how dedication and self-discipline can overcome the unique challenges faced by an online student. His commitment to Human Resource Management (HRM) and Public Administration, coupled with his passion for community service, makes his story a powerful source of inspiration for the USP community.
For Sahil, pursuing his degree as an online student was a demanding journey that necessitated significant personal growth. He quickly realised that success hinged on self-discipline and time management, often involving late nights completing assignments and attending remote lectures.
Sahil highlights that the biggest challenge was learning independently without the traditional classroom structure. This experience, however, became his strength, teaching him resilience and commitment. He points out that the prompt support and feedback from his lecturers via email were invaluable, helping him build confidence in his professional communication skills—a quality he uses every day.
His passion lay in learning about Human Resource Management, Employment Relations, and Public Administration. He was always curious about how organisations operate, how employees are managed and supported, and how public systems impact society. This passion drove him to stay organised and proactive, seeking to connect academic theory with real-world application.
Sahil’s USP journey was significantly shaped by his active role as the Welfare Representative for the University of the South Pacific Student Association (USPSA) at the Labasa Campus. This opportunity allowed him to represent the student body, address their concerns, and work towards a more supportive environment.
“Being in that role taught me valuable skills in leadership, communication, and advocacy. More than anything, it shaped my experience by allowing me to give my best to the student community so that every student learns and enjoys University life.”
This commitment to service strengthened his desire to work with people, a key driver for his career aspirations in HR.
Sahil always dreamt of becoming a strategic Human Resource (HR) professional, a field where he could support, guide, and empower employees while contributing to an organisation’s strategic goals.
A major turning point came when he was awarded the Shrikisun Balgovind Scholarship, which provided a huge boost of confidence and motivated him to approach his studies with even greater purpose.
Upon graduation, his first professional step was an internship at the Bank of the South Pacific (BSP), Labasa Branch. This experience provided a steep learning curve, requiring him to adapt quickly to a fast-paced, customer-focused work environment.
“I realised how different real work environments are from the classroom… I learned the importance of attention to detail, staying organised, and being able to think on my feet.”
His advice to current USP students is simple: “Treat every opportunity as a learning experience… Be open to feedback, stay curious, and don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone.”
Currently, Sahil’s goal is to secure a permanent HR role and commit to furthering his education at the postgraduate level. He is excited about the evolving landscape of his field. He sees HR becoming more strategic and tech-driven, relying on HR Information Systems (HRIS), AI, and data analytics to enhance employee experience and well-being. Simultaneously, he predicts that public administration will place a growing emphasis on transparency, accountability, and agile service delivery.
For Sahil, being an alumnus of USP is “an incredible feeling”—a dream come true built on years of dedication. He is proud to carry the legacy of an institution that empowered him to dream big and aim high. Beyond academic theories, the three most important things he took away were knowledge, a mindset of continuous learning, and unwavering patience and belief in himself.
Sahil is also proud to share that two of his elder brothers are also USP graduates: one working as an Analyst at Capital Insurance and the other as an Agriculture Officer at the Ministry of Agriculture. The shared educational foundation at USP serves as a source of pride and motivation for the entire family.
Sahil is an alumnus of the USP Bachelor of Commerce programme and plans to remain involved with the university by sharing his career journey and pursuing further postgraduate studies in HR and Public Administration.
Like Sahil, your USP journey can inspire others. Share your story and register with USP Alumni ARMS: https://www.usp.ac.fj/alumni/arms/
