A DECADE after leaving formal education, Famomoi Niukena has graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce, overcoming the challenges of balancing university studies with family life and adapting to new technology.
Niukena, 46, majored in Management, Public Administration and Accounting after taking up a Tuvalu Government scholarship in 2023 to study in Fiji.
Before beginning her studies, Niukena worked in the finance department at the Tuvalu Broadcasting Corporation.
She said returning to the classroom after more than 10 years was challenging, particularly while managing responsibilities as a wife and mother.
“There are a lot of challenges, especially time management,” Niukena said.
“There’s a gap between the time that I studied. It’s about 10-plus years that I left school. I’m married and I came with my family here to Fiji for study, so there were challenges between my family and school life.”
Adapting to technology used in university studies was another hurdle.
“Because I’m a bit older now, the new technology was a challenge, so I tried my best to adapt to how to study with the new technology here,” she said.
Niukena plans to return to Tuvalu and use the knowledge and skills gained through her degree to contribute to her workplace and country.
She also hopes her achievement will encourage her children to pursue their own educational goals.
Niukena has three children, including a son completing Form Seven in Tuvalu, who hopes to pursue his interests in drawing and carpentry.
Her husband, son and sister-in-law joined her to celebrate the graduation.
Niukena thanked the Tuvalu Government for providing the scholarship opportunity and
acknowledged her family for supporting her throughout the journey.
“Without them, I’m not complete,” she said.
