Shalvin Kumar and Sheema Lata, both educators at the University of the South Pacific, celebrated a remarkable achievement during the graduation ceremony in Suva last Friday. Mr. Kumar, 29, earned his Bachelor of Arts in Law, while Ms. Lata, 26, graduated with a Master of Arts in Education.
The couple, who have been married for seven years, exemplified the belief that education is a lifelong journey. “We both share responsibilities as we teach at the same school. My wife handled most of the household duties, which allowed me to focus on my law studies,” Mr. Kumar shared.
The couple studied online, which presented its own set of challenges, but they remained determined to succeed. Mr. Kumar remarked, “It was a significant sacrifice, but absolutely worth it.”
Despite facing numerous challenges and criticisms, particularly concerning Mr. Kumar’s choice to pursue law studies, the pair maintained a steadfast focus on their goals. “I received a lot of negativity about my decision to change my field of study at my age,” he noted.
Before law, Mr. Kumar completed a Bachelor of Arts and a Graduate Certificate in Education, majoring in Literature, Language, and Geography. He expressed that becoming a lawyer was always his dream, but he initially pursued education due to a lack of available scholarships. “As soon as I began earning, I enrolled in law courses,” he explained.
Even in the face of skepticism about his career change, Mr. Kumar persevered, and graduating with a law degree has reaffirmed his belief that determination can lead to achieving dreams. He now aspires to pursue a Master’s in Law and aims to become a criminal lawyer, while Ms. Lata plans to relocate to Dubai for a teaching position.