Josua Lutu and Esther Tuatoko, former Gospel High School and Bhawani Dayal Arya College students, are looking forward to taking the next step towards their education as they prepare to begin studies at The University of the South Pacific (USP).
Lutu, 18, attended Bhawani Dayal Arya College, a school located in Nasinu just outside Fiji’s capital city of Suva, throughout high school and was raised by his grandparents.
“My grandfather was the breadwinner at the time, but he passed away in 2018. My aunt stepped in, and I regard her as my mother; she financially supported me throughout my education.”
He said he is also blessed to have his aunt as his support system and to have helped him manoeuvre his way in high school. As a result, he passed his Year 13 external examination with good marks, enabling him to secure a spot to pursue Marine Management studies at USP.
“I am grateful that my grandmother is still around to witness all this, including my first year at university,” he shared.
Through his pure science subject combination (Physics, Chemistry and Biology), Lutu developed an interest in marine conservation. “I just want to learn how to better protect the marine environment that helps sustain us.”
He also highlighted that USP was his first choice because of its cultural diversity, especially the prospect of meeting people from across the Pacific.
Similarly, Esther Tuatoko, who attended Gospel High School, located near Suva city, is excited to experience university life, crediting her success in being accepted into USP to her parents’ unwavering support.
“I’ve always wanted to be an accountant since I was in Year 9, so the dream hasn’t changed now that I have finished Year 13. I have applied to USP to pursue a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Accounting and Finance,” Tuatoko added.
“Like most first-year students this year, I’m looking forward to start learning at USP and meet people from other Pacific Island countries.”
Tuatoko shared that the USP Roadshow has been helpful as she was able to access the institution’s services closer to home and sought academic advice from staff on how to apply to USP.
Meanwhile, our USP Roadshow teams will be doing another round of roadshow this Friday and Saturday (January 26 & 27) in Nadi, Nausori Town, USP Campuses in Lautoka, and Labasa, where our staff will be there to make our services accessible to you, whether you’re applying as a new student, seeking academic advice, or wishing to resume your studies after a lapse of six semesters, qualifications upgrade, and more.
Semester 1, 2024, applications are open and will close on January 31, 2024, while registrations will close on February 23, 2024.
