For most families, a graduation ceremony is a day of singular focus—a moment to celebrate one individual’s culmination of years of study. But for Sereima Baleisomi and her daughter, Setaita Takiveikata, the recent commencement exercises at Fiji National University (FNU) were a shared victory, marking a rare intersection of academic achievement across two generations.
The ceremony, held for the College of Arts, Humanities and Education, saw 664 graduates receive their degrees and certificates. Amidst the sea of gowns, Baleisomi and Takiveikata stood out, not just for their proximity, but for the weight of their respective achievements: a PhD in Mathematics Education for the mother and a qualification in law for the daughter.
The moment represented more than just the acquisition of titles. For Baleisomi, who balanced the rigorous demands of doctoral research with a full-time career and the responsibilities of raising three children, the degree was the result of a grueling endurance test. The dual celebration served as a symbolic passing of the torch, as both women entered new professional chapters simultaneously.
The Rigor of the ‘Juggle’
Pursuing a PhD is widely regarded as one of the most taxing academic undertakings, requiring an original contribution to a field of study. For Baleisomi, the challenge was compounded by the realities of domestic and professional life. The “juggle,” as she described it, involved navigating the high-pressure environment of a full-time workload while managing a household of three children.
The process of completing a doctoral thesis often involves years of isolated research, data analysis, and multiple rounds of revisions. In the context of Mathematics Education, this typically requires a deep dive into pedagogical theories and practical applications to improve how the subject is taught and learned. For Baleisomi, the struggle was a daily negotiation of time, often carving out hours in the late night or early morning to satisfy the demands of her research.
“It was a journey, you know you have to juggle between studies and a full-time work load and being a mother to three children and PHD studies are pretty demanding, I’d say,” Baleisomi said.
A Symbiotic Academic Journey
While the degrees were different, the journey was shared. Takiveikata, who graduated with a Bachelor of Laws and a graduate diploma in law, noted that her own academic path was inextricably linked to her mother’s. The two women functioned as a mutual support system, mirroring each other’s discipline and providing emotional scaffolding during the most difficult stretches of their studies.
This symbiotic relationship allowed both to withstand the pressure of their respective programs. Takiveikata recalled the sight of her mother working through the night to finalize her writings, a visual reminder of the persistence required to reach the highest level of academia. This shared experience shifted the dynamic from a traditional parent-child relationship to one of academic peers.
“I’d say I wasn’t alone on this journey as I had my mother with me and I was with her as well when she went through all those late nights to finish her writings,” Takiveikata said, adding that witnessing her mother’s hard work pay off filled her with an immense sense of pride.
The following table outlines the distinct yet parallel academic paths taken by the two graduates:
| Graduate | Degree Earned | Field of Study | Primary Challenge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sereima Baleisomi | PhD | Mathematics Education | Balancing full-time work and motherhood |
| Setaita Takiveikata | Bachelor/Graduate Diploma | Law | Navigating professional legal training |
The Broader Impact of FNU’s Graduation
The graduation of 664 students from the College of Arts, Humanities and Education underscores the critical role FNU plays in developing Fiji’s intellectual capital. The diversification of degrees—ranging from specialized education PhDs to professional law qualifications—reflects a broader push toward higher academic standards within the region.
In Fiji, the pursuit of a PhD is a significant milestone, as these scholars often go on to lead faculty departments or influence national policy in their respective fields. Similarly, the transition from a law degree to a graduate diploma is a prerequisite for those seeking admission to the bar and practicing law within the Fijian legal system.
For Baleisomi, the achievement was the “icing on the cake,” a phrase that suggests the PhD was the final piece of a larger family puzzle of success. The emotional weight of the day was not just in the certificates received, but in the validation of a family’s collective resilience.
Disclaimer: This article reports on academic achievements and does not constitute legal or educational advice regarding the specific requirements for bar admission or doctoral candidacy in Fiji.
As both women transition into their new roles—one as a doctor of education and the other as a legal professional—they move toward their respective professional certifications and the application of their research and training in the public sphere. The next milestone for graduates in the legal field typically involves the formal admission to the High Court of Fiji.
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