The University of South Pacific (USP) School of Accounting, Finance and Economics (SAFE) recently honoured its outstanding first year students of 2020.
Their success was celebrated at an event held on Friday 9th April 2021, in partnership with the Fiji Institute of Accountants (FIA).
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| Acting Vice-Chancellor and President, Dr Guilio Massaso Paunga (2nd from right); Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education), Professor Jito Vanualailai (3rd from right), Director of the Centre for Flexible Learning, Dr Rajni Chand and Acting Head of SAFE, Dr Nacanieli Rika (extreme right) with the top 31 first-year students of 2020 |
USP was represented by the Acting Vice-Chancellor and President, Dr Guilio Massaso Paunga while the FIA was represented by its Vice President, Mr Tarlochan Singh.
Other guests at the event included the Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education), Professor Jito Vanualailai; Director of the Centre for Flexible Learning, Dr Rajni Chand; staff of SAFE; FIA Secretariat; award recipients and their families.
The School awarded certificates to the top 31 first-year students of 2020 who all achieved GPA scores of 4.0 or above in their eight courses at 100 level. The recipients included 15 males and 16 females, of whom 2 are enrolled at USP’s Tonga campus.
Acting Head of School, Dr Nacanieli Rika encouraged students to demonstrate humility in success, behave graciously when someone else performs better and above all, to be themselves with the confidence to pursue their own pathways, visions, and definitions of success.
Rajneel Narayan received the Head of School’s award for the most outstanding first year student, accompanied by a cash prize of FJD1,000.
Originally from Rakiraki, Rajneel is pursuing a BCom degree majoring in Accounting and Economics under a Fiji National Toppers Scholarship.
In a recorded video message, alumnus and former SAFE Assistant Lecturer, Dr Madhukar Singh, acknowledged the value of his USP degree and assured recipients that their choice to study Accounting was the right one.
Dr Singh reminded students that their future was in their own in hands and the “journey from here may get challenging but perseverance will get you bigger and better rewards.” Dr Madhukar Singh currently lectures at the Australian National University (ANU).
At the same event, the FIA also awarded certificates and cash prizes of FJD500 to 5 outstanding Accounting students of 2020 from Fiji who were selected by the Ministry of Education, Heritage and Arts on the basis of scores in the Fiji Year 13 exams. The awardees were also given complimentary student membership of the Institute for 3 years. Since its commencement in 2016, 22 students have received the FIA awards.
Speaking on behalf of the FIA, Mr Tarlochan Singh stated that the Institute sponsors these awards in line with its strategic initiative of creating awareness for future members as well as building the FIA brand. He advised the students to continue to work hard, remain dedicated and focussed. “The opportunities are endless as we provide technical expertise and training and most of all, many opportunities to network with seasoned accounting professionals of the Institute,” Mr Singh said.
The five recipients are Kristel Andrea Lat Dena (Central Division), Agnes Laila Shah (Western Division), Hetal Solanki (Western Division), Pawan Pranit Kumar (Northern Division) and Teresia Ofa Talei Loco (Eastern Division).
SAFE is delighted that 3 of these 5 FIA recipients are currently studying at USP.
Newsfeed by : USP