On Friday, December 18, 1993, the first Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) graduates from the Fiji School of Medicine graduated and received their degrees from the University of the South Pacific on their graduation day.

An article in The Fiji Times three days later reported Dr Toakase Pele of Tonga, had walked off with a gold medal for outstanding academic record, and graduated with a distinction.

Before they received their degrees, they were asked to take an oath and swore they would carry out the regiment of work, for the value of the sick.

The graduates pledged to keep the sick from harm.

“To none, would I give a drug to neither solicit death nor offer counsel till death.”

They also swore not to wrongfully procure an abortion and to refrain from all wrongdoing.

They said, afterward they had not been approached to serve in the civil service.

Two USP students were given gold medals.

Upjeet Pal Kuar Singh received the gold medal in science and Sagaitu Manueli took honours for education.

USP alumni prizes for the outstanding Foundation Science students went to Abdul Ahan Azam and Sarvesh Chand.

Foundation Social Science prizes were given to Nacanieli Rika and Kavita Kapadia.

About 500 students received their certificates, diplomas, and degrees.

Special honorary doctorate degrees were conferred on Henry Evans Muade and Iremia Tabai, the residents of Kiribati, for their work in the South Pacific.

The Chancellor, Susga Malietoa Tanumafili III, of Western Samoa, presented the doctorate certificates on Mr Evans for his work in the field of history and politics.

In a citation, the head of the history department, David Routledge paid tribute for his understanding of Pacific history.

“Both of Maude’s careers were founded on the belief that island societies may best be understood in terms of their own past.

President Tabai was not present to receive his degree.

One of the graduating students, Salote Nawalowalo, then thanked the administration, senate, and officers for their perseverance and dedication in achieving their academic goals.

“We believe that like us, the university is on the verge of turning over a new leaf.”

Postgraduates’ degrees in Master of Philosophy went to Ruby Va’a of Western Samoa, Mere Pulea and Roniti Teiwaki of Kiribati.

Parul Deoki, Ganeshwar Chand and Morgan Tuimaleali’fano received the Postgraduate Master of Arts awards.

A single Master of Science Degree went to Michael Leonard Guinea of Australia.