13 December, 2025, 12:52 pm Central - 24°C Rain

Dr Varo : From collecting trash at USP to earn income for his fare and food to becoming the USP’s Acting HOD for Land Management and Development

Dr Varo : From collecting trash at USP to earn income for his fare and food to becoming the USP’s Acting HOD for Land Management and Development

By Iliana Biutu
07/11/2023
Doctor Joeli Varo

From collecting trash at the University of the South Pacific to be recycled to earn some income for his bus fare and food when he started his degree program, and now becoming the USP Acting Head of the Department for Land Management and Development.

That is the story of Doctor Joeli Varo who is from Naraiyawa Village in Namosi.

Speaking to fijivillage News, Doctor Varo says to live through challenges is a custom and through those moments it defines who we are and how we can navigate ways towards success.

Doctor Varo says he could not ask for anything more than being given a challenge.

He says looking back at his past, he was nurtured in a good way where he was taught by his parents to learn the hard way.

He says the transition from secondary to tertiary education did not negatively impact him but it positively moulded him.

He says being allowed to hold the position of Acting Head for the Land Management Department is a humbling experience for him.

He further says now as a team leader for the department he still shows respect to his lecturers who taught him back during his university days.

He adds he is the first alumni student of Land Management at USP to take up the position of Acting Head of the Land Management Department and is also the first family member to hold the position as such in any university.

He is encouraging the youths to always respect their parents and those who are older than them because that is the key that opens the door to success.

You can check out Doctor Varo’s full interview in the iTaukei and English languages on our facebook page and YouTube channel, fijivillage at 7pm tonight.

FEATURE NEWS
Moderate chance of TD03F to become a cyclone by Monday
A flash flood alert and heavy rain alert remains in force for the whole of Fiji, and the Tropical Disturbance located near the Solomon Islands which i...
3 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Yavusa Burenivalu ready to bury remains of Ro Veidovi
The Yavusa Burenivalu are ready to bury the ashes of Ro Veidovi Logavatu, who was taken to the US in 1840 accused of murdering at least ten American ...
45 minutes ago

Naivalurua urges new RFMF recruits to uphold ethics on and off duty
Soldiers must think critically, communicate clearly and uphold ethical standards both on and off duty. Minister for Policing Ioane Naivalurua ...
51 minutes ago

St Christopher’s Home children celebrate early Christmas with Ministry of Information
35 children of St Christopher’s Home in Nakasi were treated to an early Christmas as the Ministry of Information and National Archives of Fiji ...
1 hour ago

Single mother's dedication, resilience and hard work ensures completion of her studies at UniFiji
Despite facing personal challenges, including becoming a young mother at the start of Year 12, Milika Vereivalu from Yalava Village in Macuata says ...
2 hours ago

Flash Flood and Heavy Rain Alerts in force for Fiji
A Flash Flood Alert and a Heavy Rain Alert remains in force for the whole of Fiji.A trough of low pressure remains slow moving over Fiji and it is ...
4 hours ago



Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Sonia Shanaaz says silent treatment hurts as she waits for assistance for her daughter with cerebral palsy
Sonia Shanaaz, the mother of 10-year-old Aarna who was born with cerebral palsy, says silent treatment hurts after she reached out to the ...
1 day ago

I do not support police officers being charged on public opinions and without evidence - COMPOL
Commissioner of Police Rusiate Tudravu says he will stand by his officers, and he does not support any officer being charged based on public opinion ...
1 day ago

Dubai 7s 2025
The Fiji Airways Men’s National 7s side are working on their fitness as they prepare for the start of the 2025/2026 World 7s Series this ...
5 days ago

TOP