The University of the South Pacific’s (USP) Laucala Campus Graduation celebrated over 1,000 students as they were awarded their degrees, diplomas and certificates at the two-day graduation ceremony.
On Thursday, August 31, 2023, two graduation sessions saw 698 students graduate in various disciplines from the School of Business and Management (SBM), School of Agriculture, Geography, Environment, Oceans & Natural Sciences (SAGEONS), School of Information Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Physics (STEMP) and Pacific Technical and Further Education (PTAFE).
On Friday, September 1, 2023, 498 students graduated from USP’s School of Accounting, Finance and Economics (SAFE), School of Law and Social Sciences (SoLaSS), the School of Pacific Arts, Communication and Education (SPACE), and Pacific Centre for Environment and Sustainable Development (PaCE-SD).
While addressing the graduates and their families, USP Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Pal Ahluwalia said, “This is a grand and joyful celebration, and I thank you for your confidence in USP—the premier regional university. You are the reason for today’s grand and joyful celebration. Your hard work and dedication have brought you to this moment, and I am honoured to be a part of this celebration with you all.”
“The most remarkable figure that I will read today is that over sixty- per cent (60%) of those graduating over the three sessions are women,” he added.
Professor Ahluwalia also highlighted that students from 19 countries graduated in this August and September Laucala graduation, including eight non-member countries, testifying to the growing international profile and attraction of USP.
The USP Vice-Chancellor also acknowledged the graduates’ hard work adding, that, “We are mindful that the accomplishments we are celebrating did not come easy. This gathering of graduates, professionals in the government, education and business sectors, our staff, parents, families and loved ones – is a great testament to a quality intrinsic among the people of the Pacific – that is the spirit of resilience!”
Meanwhile, of those graduating, 26 students from USP’s Samoa Campus were also part of this August Graduation Ceremony along with a cohort of 30 teachers from the Fijian Province of Ra who completed their master’s in education.
