Story by Zubayer Sayeed

​7 years ago, I failed in all the universities I applied to in Bangladesh. Long story short, I have failed more than 100 times in 7 years (scholarships, internships, club circles, job applications, university applications, etc.).

During my undergrad life, I worked in the kitchen and at times I cleaned toilets at McDonald’s. I worked as a waiter in a hotel. I have learned how hard it is to earn a single penny.

​FOR 26-year-old Pamela Augustine Rofeta from Malaita in the Solomon Islands , becoming a lawyer fulfilled both her and her grandfather’s dream.

Rofeta, who had just taken her oath to practice early this month along with 17 other new lawyers, shared her story with Solomon Star.

“My grandfather, from whom I was named, was the initial motivator behind me becoming a lawyer,” Rofeta said when asked what motivated her to become a lawyer.

“He had always wanted one of his sons to be a lawyer, however, they all chose different career paths,” she added.

“I had hoped to fulfill this dream of his and decided to study law.

​By Solomon Aplas

Tania Areori, is the first Papua New Guinea (PNG) female Vertiranian to be graduated this year at Charles Sturt University in New South Wales, Australia. Thanks to Australian Awards Scholarships. 

Tania grew up in Madang Province, where she did both her primary and secondary education.

"I attended Tusbab Secondary High School and then went to University of Papua New Guinea- Bachelors of Science in Animal Biology from 2007- 2010. "

After graduated she worked as an Intern biologist with the PNG Institute of BIological Research in Goroka.

It took her six years studying a Bachelor of Veterinary Science until she graduated this year.

"I started a Degree in Veterinary Biology/ Veterinary Science (Honours) at Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga, NSW in 2015 and have just finished the program."

​Yalinu is our 2nd Science Slam 2020 presenter. She has very recently completed her PhD (during lockdown!) in the School of Chemistry. She first competed in Science Slam back in 2018:

"Halo olgeta lain man na meri! (Hello everyone!)

My name is Dr. Yalinu Poya and I come from the beautiful island nation Papua New Guinea. I have recently been awarded my PhD in Chemistry degree focusing in Heterogeneous Catalysis from the University of Glasgow. Prior to Glasgow I studied in China at the Northeast Normal University and obtained my Master of Science Degree in Inorganic Chemistry. I did my Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry from the University of Papua New Guinea, Papua New Guinea.