A real family affair

When Hansa Patel returned to study after a 29 year hiatus, she was happy to have a “network of children” around her to help.

The Patel familty – Hansa Patel (middle) with two of her five children Jiten (left) and Jaini (right).
Hansa Patel (middle) with two of her five children Jiten (left) and Jaini (right).

This week, she’ll graduate alongside two of her five children at Victoria University of Wellington’s celebrations at the Michael Fowler Centre.

Hansa, who is graduating with a Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Research, believes she has set a good example to her children with her return to study.

“I think it’s important for the kids to see that their mum—who still cooks, cleans and drives them around—can still study and do well.”

But she couldn’t have got there without their help. “When we had assignments and essays, we’d all help each other proof read and make comments on each other’s work.

“Even my 15-year-old would point out I was using different fonts!

“The most difficult part of my course was getting used to studying again and understanding academic language and referencing.”

But Hansa knew that her children believed she could balance her studies and family life.

“They’ve always had confidence in me—it’s been great to have their support. I wouldn’t have been able to do it without them.”

This week makes all the hard work worthwhile, as Jaini collects her Bachelor of Laws and Jiten collect his Bachelor of Science in the same ceremony as Hansa.

“We’ve helped each other get to this point and it’s nice to celebrate together.”

Jaini and Jiten are proud of their Mum, and both agree that her hard work has inspired them to work harder.

“When she started getting higher grades than us, it almost became a goal, to be as good as Mum,” says Jiten.

Jaini adds: “She always completed her assignments two weeks before they were due!”

Hansa is one of seven children, and was the first person in her family to attend to University. She was recently awarded a Victoria Doctoral Scholarship which she will use to study sporting physical activity and bone health in New Zealand adolescents and young adults.

Jiten is working towards completing his Master of Science in Petroleum Geoscience at Victoria, while Jaini begins a graduate role as a law clerk next year.

Hansa (Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Research), Jaini (Bachelor of Laws) and Jiten (Bachelor of Science) will graduate at 6pm tonight, Wednesday 14 December.