“What drove me to excel in school is the struggle my parents went through, using all their FNPF funds to provide a proper education for me and my four siblings.”

These were the words of 33-year-old Esala Vakamacawai who graduated with a Master of Medicine in Surgery from the Fiji National University’s College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences today.

Vakamacawai recalls growing up in Qauia with his father earning $20 a week as a mechanic adding that this struggle was etched in his mind and helped him overcome a lot of challenges to get to where he is today.

The father of four now continues his attachment with Christchurch Public Hospital and is aiming to be the first doctor in Fiji to be qualified to perform procedure to diagnose diseases of the gall bladder, pancreas and liver.

Meanwhile this is the 5th Fiji National University Graduation ceremony with a total of 1,323 student graduates receiving post-grad diplomas, masters, degrees, diplomas and certificates.