63-year-old Dr Pradeep Krishan Tiwari, who has become the first person in Fiji to graduate with a PhD in insurance law from the University of the South Pacific, says where there is a will, there is a way, but how you reach your destination depends on the level of your commitment.
Dr Tiwari, an academic teacher at the School of Law and Social Science at USP, described it as an overwhelming moment for him walking up to receive his certificate.
He says he was overwhelmed knowing that five years of sacrifice and trying to balance school and teaching had finally paid off.
The academic says trying to teach and study at the same time is not easy and had put him under a lot of pressure.
He acknowledged his family, friends, and supervisors for standing by him throughout.
Dr Tiwari says his supervisors were also among his biggest motivators, as they always pushed him whenever he was lagging in his studies.
He further stressed to his students that self-discipline is the cornerstone of success.
He says that with learning, age can be an excuse but not a barrier, adding that his teaching philosophy is driven by his passion for learning.
Dr Tiwari urged the younger generation to set their priorities right and work towards them with determination, commitment, and self-discipline.
He says it is our attitude that decides our altitude in life, not our aptitude.
More than 1,000 students graduated from USP during the graduation ceremony at the Vodafone Arena today.
