UniFiji graduates urged to never harass anyone by words or action

449 graduates from the University of Fiji have been urged never to harass anyone by words or action since harassment, especially sexual harassment, was one of the most prevalent crimes in Fiji.

While speaking at the graduation ceremony, University of Fiji Vice-Chancellor Professor Shaista Shameem says the graduates of the university should never be guilty of such objectionable behaviour nor tolerate it in others.

Professor Shameem says the university expects its graduates not to cause harm to or exploit others, especially those who are disadvantaged and vulnerable members of society. She also says graduates are expected to save people from injustice and advocate for fairness and equality, especially of all genders, ethnic groups and people living in poverty. She adds that graduates are expected to conduct themselves with dignity and self-respect. The Vice-Chancellor is urging the graduates to be their best selves, know the difference between right and wrong and follow the right path.

She says the university, through its human values education, had taught students to know the right path and to follow it without hesitation or fear.

Professor Shameem also advised the graduates to be leaders of the nation and the world but to only lead by example.

She says do not abuse anyone’s trust because they will never get that trust back if they lose it.

The university also awarded its first PhD to an i-Taukei candidate, Atelini Bai of the Department of Education of the University.

Professor Shameem says it was a proud moment for the University to present the highest award of PhD not only to an i-Taukei candidate but also to a woman, sending encouragement to other women to pursue academic excellence.

She says Bai’s thesis was supervised by the University’s senior-most professor, Professor Tupeni Baba, and is entitled 'Understanding the process of solesolevaki in the iTaukei culture and using it to assist in the delivery of learning in Fiji.

She adds the thesis examiner commented on the importance of this topic and on the fact that very little has been written about it to date.