One hundred seventeen students graduated from The University of the South Pacific (USP) Nauru Campus last Wednesday (June 7, 2023).
Addressing the graduates, USP Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Pal Ahluwalia paid tribute to the extraordinary patience, adaptability and resilience demonstrated by the students, parents and guardians at Nauru Campus.
The graduation ceremony was a significant one after being postponed five times since September 2022.
Professor Ahluwalia stressed, “We thank everyone for their perseverance and commend Nauru Campus for your exemplary resilience. Your USP family applauds you.”
The Vice-Chancellor encouraged graduates to pursue their dream and make an impact in their community, country and in the region.
“We are just as proud of our many alumni who are leaders in the international public and private sectors and continue to make an immensely invaluable contribution to the development of these countries and to our region.”
“Graduands may your futures be bright` and your journeys filled with purpose and meaning,” Professor Ahluwalia added.
Amongst the 117 students who graduated was Osanna Harris, who received her Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Management.
Osanna started her education journey at the Nauru Campus in 2018 and completed her study in 2021. She could not graduate in 2022 because of the postponement of the graduation date and was happy to be able to walk onto the stage to receive her qualification earlier this month.
Sharing her experience, Osanna said, “Joining USP was eye-opening for me. I did not only manage to enhance my knowledge and skills, but I was able to engage in diversity learning.”
Like many other students, she faced her fair share of challenges while navigating her way through USP.
“One of the many challenges was the sudden change of teaching method when COVID first hit. However, it was a learning and fun experience as I acquired new skills through virtual learning and presentation.”
“Most of my lecturers and tutors were very supportive and understanding which helped me through my university journey.”
She advises current and prospective USP students to participate in extracurricular activities and build a network of friends that expands across the region “and mostly, have fun and keep on keeping on no matter what.”
