AS the 44th Divine Word University graduation ceremony drew to a close on Friday, March 6, the air filled with excitement and joy as parents embrace their sons and daughters after a long-awaited journey to attaining Bachelor’s Degree, Masters and Diplomas.

Out of the 793 DWU graduates Post Courier Online met up with 31-year-old Valentina Pulpulio, a primary school teacher from East Sepik province who graduated with a Master of Educational Leadership .

It was a very emotional day for Pulpulio as she reflected on her journey attaining her Master of Educational Leadership.

“I had my own fair share of challenges taking all the units and a course in just one year,” she said.

Pulpulio added that regardless of all the sacrifices, “…that we face, my course mates and, it is all paid today.”

Hailing from West New Britain and East Sepik province Pulpulio told PC Online yesterday that being the youngest in her class and learning from her senior classmates’ experiences and the problems they faced in the education system was a double accomplishment.

“I learnt a lot from the elders in my class actually, the ones that are administrating, the ones that are inspecting, the ones that are delivering or doing exams, it was about sharing the problems and also we were creating strategies and solutions for those problems in our class,” said Pulpulio.

She added that during her 1-year course of study, her class did research to find educational issues that affect the country and,“…then we recommend ways to solve these issues.”

Through her tears of joy, she thought of her son, and husband who were not present but were her biggest supporters in her journey to attaining her Master of Educational Leadership.

“It was challenging, my son missing the other parent, not being a full-time mom and wife, I owe this achievement to them,” she added.

Also setting the benchmark for her son, she is proud to bring her achievement back home to her family.