THE University of the South Pacific awarded 32 gold medals to the most outstanding students in their respective fields of studies at the 2012 Medals and Prizes Ceremony at the Oceania Centre on Wednesday night.
The awards was categorised into 28 divisions of the different faculties at the university.
USP vice-chancellor Prof Rajesh Chandra said the awards were for students who tried to be the best and not the ones that wanted to settle for second best.
Speaking to the gold medallists, he said good was not good enough and being bright was not the only success in life "but it's your moral that counts too".
Graduate with the best combined academic performance and all-round service to the community Adi Losevati Lagilagi Mataitini said hard work and dedication paid off and there was always hope in God.
"It's an honour to receive this medal and a stepping stone for my career," Ms Mataitini said.
Out of the 23 gold medallists, Jasvin Malani Lala received two awards for being the most outstanding graduate with major in Psychology and the most outstanding student with major in Journalism sponsored by The Fiji Times.
Ms Lala said age should not be a barrier to education. "This is my 20th year of achieving my dream and I hope students out there never stop dreaming," she said.
Ms Lala who is the media liaison office for the Ministry of Labour said she always wanted to know more that was beyond classroom knowledge and this had to come from the heart.
The full USP graduation ceremony will be held today at the Vodafone Arena.