AS a young kid growing up in the village, he was always keen to engage in hands-on tasks, such as fixing broken chairs to participating in community projects.
These experiences sparked his curiosity and willingness to learn about designing and construction.
So, its always been a dream for 29-year-old Donovan Paeni from Dova Village, GPPOL 3 region in Guadalcanal to become an engineer.
Because of hard-work, commitment and dedication he finally achieves his dream after completing five years of studies at the University of the South Pacific (USP) in Suva, Fiji.
He is now a qualified civil engineer after graduating in October last year, 2024.
Being brought up from a Christian home as a member of the Anglican Church, his commitment to God remains steadfast.
He started his journey at USP in 2019 and it had not been an easy journey.
“I faced the usual hurdles of adjusting to a new environment and overcoming the culture shock of university life.”
However, he said, he had learnt to navigate the newfound freedom by refocusing, planning, and engaging in activities with Pacific student associations and communities on campus.
“With unwavering support from my parents, I persevered through the challenges and internships to be a role model for my younger siblings.”
He is the first in the family of four brothers and a sister to reach university, let alone graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering.
His father Stephen Paeni, a retired politician/Member of Parliament and mother Rose Paeni have been a strong supporter to his education journey.
His mother is the caregiver of all the children staying at home and selling produce at the market to support the family from time to time.
He is second born in the family.
His elder brother also completed degree at USP, Laucala, – worked for two (2) years and currently undertaking further studies. His younger siblings are still studying at both the university and high school level.
Reflecting on his journey, Paeni underwent his early childhood education doing kindergarten at the former Solomon Islands Plantation Limited (SIPL) CDC 3 now known as GPPOL 3.
From Pre- Gilo preschool he went on to YWCA.
For the primary education he spent the six years at Tamlan, West Honiara.
He was fortunate to be selected and did his forms one to three at Tenaru Catholic school, then went on to complete his forms 4 to 7 at Selwyn College.
His journey to USP was made possible by GPPOL under the Guadalcanal Plains Leadership Award Scholarship (GPLAS) and spent five years there.
He said, studying at USP has been a challenging yet rewarding journey.
Looking back, he said, the university offers a high standard of education, diverse cultures, and a supportive learning environment.
“While it requires dedication and time management, the experience is truly enriching.
“The lecturers are knowledgeable, and the resources available help a lot.
“Balancing studies with other commitments can be tough, but it’s all part of the learning process,” he said.
Some of the challenges he faced while studying in Fiji were;
• Adaptation to the new environment;
• Meeting academic expectations;
• Group work & collaboration; and
• Exams & Assignment pressure.
But he acknowledged USP to help him achieve his dreams.
“The staff support is incredible and they are always there to help students if we face challenges with our studies.
“They play a critical role in shaping our studies and ensuring we have a great learning experience.
“I’m overjoyed to say – I did it! Thank you to everyone who believed in me,” said Paeni an USP Alumni.
Since graduating he has been working for FMC Pacific.
And some of his responsibilities are;
– Construction site inspections and Progress claim Evaluations;
– Structural analysis for single storey buildings with modelling on SPACEGASS with structural design and Member Sizing;
– Drafting newly designed structures and As-built structures using Auto CAD.
– QS and Estimation of Construction works
– Quality assurance/Quality control
*Steel Reinforcement
*Reinforced concrete pouring
*Post pouring testing with Schmidt hammer test
*DCP & STP (Geotech)
He was motivated to become a civil engineer because he believes civil engineering is a career that was chosen for him by God.
“Growing up in a rural area, I was always involved in hands-on tasks, from fixing broken chairs to participating in community projects.
“These experiences sparked my curiosity and willingness to learn. It wasn’t until my early high school days that I realized civil engineering was the path that truly aligned with my interests and passion, offering a way to combine my love for problem-solving with the opportunity to contribute to the development of my community and beyond.
“I’m motivated to become a civil engineer because I want to contribute to building sustainable and resilient infrastructure that improves people’s lives.
“I enjoy problem-solving, designing structures, and working on projects that have a lasting impact on communities.
“Civil engineering allows me to combine creativity with technical skills to make a difference,” he said.
He highlighted the importance of engineering to a developing nation like Solomons.
“My work as a civil engineer is crucial to the development of Solomon Islands because infrastructure plays a fundamental role in a nation’s growth.
“By designing and constructing sustainable buildings, roads, and utilities, I can help improve access to essential services, support economic growth, and enhance the quality of life for communities.
“In a developing nation like Solomon Islands, efficient infrastructure is key to improving health, education, and mobility, and it also creates job opportunities and encourages investment.
“As a civil engineer, I aim to contribute to these developments and create lasting positive impacts for future generations,” he said.
As someone who is always busy with work, he also finds time to relax and recharge during his free time during the weekend, like up; skill development – Work on Engineering softwares & structural design programs.
To all current students who are still doing their studies, his advice are; to remain and stay focused and don’t be afraid to ask for help when needed.
“University can be challenging, but it’s important to keep a positive attitude and stay motivated.
“Time management is key—plan your study schedule, break tasks into manageable steps, and give yourself enough time to relax. “Make use of all available resources, like your lecturers, classmates, and online materials, to enhance your learning.
“Stay curious and open to learning, because every challenge you face is an opportunity to grow both academically and personally.
“Most importantly, put God before everything and every step of the way,” he said.
To ensure he is up to date with the changes in the field of civil engineering, he plans to do further studies should there be opportunities.
“Yes, I do plan to continue my studies in the near future, as I believe further education will enhance my knowledge and skills in the field,” Paeni who is still single said.
Reflecting back on the success of his journey, he expressed his heartfelt thanks to his mother and father for their unwavering support throughout his academic journey.
“Thank you for believing in me and constantly encouraging me through both the good and difficult times. Both of them means the world to me.”
He also extended his gratitude to GPPOL for awarding him the Guadalcanal Plains Leadership Award Scholarship (GPLAS).
“My thanks go to the GPPOL Landowners Association, the pioneers, and the five tribes and their landowning groups.
“Lastly, I acknowledge my extended family, friends, colleagues, and community for their support.
“This graduation is a shared achievement made possible by everyone’s dedication.
“I sincerely thank everyone who has supported me on this journey.
Though I may not mention each name, I deeply appreciate their kindness, encouragement and assistance. Their contributions mean a lot to me. Thank you,” he concluded.
By MOFFAT MAMU
