Local businesswoman Tofilau Fiti Leung Wai has urged students at the University of South Pacific (U.S.P.) Alafua Campus to make use of the opportunity that comes with education.

Speaking as the guest speaker at the USP Campus' opening of formal student orientation, the founder and owner of Samoa Stationery and Books (S.S.A.B.) Ltd said access to education is an opportunity that not all children get. 

“You must make use of this opportunity, you are lucky to have been here unlike some of the kids who are not going to school,” she said. 

The launching of the formal orientation program included an ava ceremony to welcome guests to the university campus. 

Tofilau said the students at U.S.P should aspire to be like David in the Bible, who spent most of his time as a shepherd at the farm but still ended up getting a higher position. 

“To all the USP students, you must work hard and never let any opportunity pass,” she added. 

A representative of the University of the South Pacific Student Association, Salvadeos Toleafoa, also explained the role of the Association to the new students, especially Foundation Program students.

“We (U.S.P.S A) are responsible for any queries made by students in regards to education matters, we are also responsible for our school budget, we have to do our best to make sure that the students here are getting the assistance that they need,” she said.

If ever the university decides to have a function, the U.S.P.S.A is responsible for doing a proposal, sending it to Fiji for approval in order for them to get the budget, she added. 

Miss Toleafoa says that U.S.P has a lot to offer for students in terms of education and reaffirmed her belief that the U.S.P is the best university to attend. 

“This year there are more than 30 students that are registered under our Foundation program which is a huge number for U.S.P,” she said.

The U.S.P usually have less than 20 students for the Foundation program, though Miss Toleafoa she said she is happy being a student at the Alafua Campus and is looking forward in what this year will bring for her.