Fijivillage
NEWS SPORTS IN DEPTH
13 May, 2026, 10:37 am
Central - 27°C Rain
IN DEPTH
13 May, 2026, 10:37 am Central - 27°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
Increasing drug use among youths could affect Fiji’s future workforce – Dr Singh
Acting Medical Superintendent of Saint Giles Hospital, Doctor Sheetal Singh has highlighted concerns about increasing drug use among youths, warning t...
60 minutes ago
LATEST NEWS
Girmitiyas’ sacrifices should be remembered and shared with future generations - Charan Jeath Singh
The sacrifices and resilience of indentured labourers must continue to be remembered and shared with future generations.Minister for Multi-Ethnic ...
17 minutes ago

Working mother dedicates her degree to her children
Bhavishna Lata, who graduated with a Bachelor’s in Primary School Education from Fiji National University has dedicated her achievement to her two ...
24 minutes ago

Madigibuli judgement moved to 26th May
Suva High Court Judge Justice Dane Tuiqereqere will give his judgement on 26th May on whether Apisai Madigibuli murdered his 25-year-old wife in ...
2 hours ago

Garbage truck that overturned near Samabula has been cleared this morning
A garbage truck that overturned near the Samabula traffic lights, close to Fiji National University, has been cleared. According to Samabula Police, ...
3 hours ago

Hot Bread Kitchen returns to Yatu Lau Arcade
The Hot Bread Kitchen has officially reopened its Suva Market outlet at the historic Yatu Lau Arcade following months of renovations, marking ...
16 hours ago



Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Coca-Cola Games 2026 Coverage
I could not contain my emotions when we won today because its been 33 years we have been trying to win the Coca-Cola Games and I'm really proud of ...
9 days ago

Seaqaqa and Labasa cane farmers fear for livelihood due non-renewal of leases
While hundreds of leases have been renewed, non-renewals and subdivision of cane land for residential use in Seaqaqa are leaving many farming ...
14 days ago

Citizens to oppose proposed TNG Waste-to-Energy incinerator in Saweni, Vuda
Serious concerns are being raised regarding a proposed Australian company's TNG Waste-to-Energy incinerator in Saweni, Vuda, and a group of concerned ...
15 days ago

TOP