The desire for Penina Siteri Manara to join The University of the South Pacific (USP) developed during her primary school days and that dream turned into reality after she passed her Year 13 external examination with excellent grades.
Manara who is new to Suva was fascinated that students in Fiji and the Pacific could access the different classrooms, recreational facilities, and offices in the greater USP area which includes the main Laucala campus as well as the Statham and Lower campuses.
Manara said she looks forward to the Semester 1 orientation week that will begin on 6 February, to familiarise herself with the university’s facilities and lecture rooms.
The 19-year-old student visited USP, Laucala campus with her father and uncle as they wanted to support the family’s trendsetter in her quest to attain a Bachelor of Arts degree.
Manara was surprised with her external examination grades, and she was overwhelmed after being told that she topped the 2022 Moce Secondary School Year 13 results. She left Moce for Suva on Christmas eve last December, to sort out her application and other errands she needed to make before the beginning of Semester 1.
“We have made a lot of sacrifices. We spent our 2022 Christmas on the boat as we were travelling to Suva. My parents have pledged that they will prioritise my education and they stand ready to pitch in wherever and whenever applicable,” she said.
Moce Secondary School has developed over the years and 2021 was history in the making when the school started to enrol students at the Year 13 level.
The Nasau, Moce native was the first Year 13 graduate from the island school to join USP. This was after a few students who passed their external examination and were part of the first batch of Year 13 students in 2021 opted for other tertiary institutions.
“I am proud to say that I will be the first graduate from Moce Secondary School to study at USP this year. This is a dream come true for me. And I believe that my achievements will inspire my younger sisters and brothers back in the village, to study hard and work towards achieving their dreams,” Manara added.
She said, “Since my early high school days, I had been longing to join the USP family. Whenever I got the chance to browse the internet from the island, I used to search USP, the programmes it offers, and the amazing facilities within the Laucala Campus.”
Manara encouraged her classmates from the island to explore the different programmes offered at USP and to enrol for this semester.
Meanwhile, USP will be holding its enrolment roadshow today and tomorrow, Friday 27 and Saturday 28 January 2023 around the country.
If you still have not applied for your studies with us, bring your birth certificate and external exam results to key locations in Nausori, Navua, Sigatoka, Nadi, Lautoka, Ba, Tavua, Rakiraki, Labasa, Savusavu and Taveuni.
USP teams will also issue provisional offer letters for Years 12 and 13 students and confirmed offer letters to those who meet the requirements. For more information, visit our Facebook page or website www.usp.ac.fj or call toll-free at 1568.
