About me

At Gallaudet University

I am Krishneer Sen from Suva, Fiji in the South Pacific. I came to Gallaudet University in January, 2010 as an English Language Insitute (ELI) student. I was voted as the English Language Institute Student Organization as a president from Spring 2010 to Fall 2011. I am currently an undergraduate student at Gallaudet University majoring in Information Technology Systems. I am expecting to graduate in 2014.

I plan to be an activisit and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) advocate for the Deaf Communication in Fji and around the world. My goal is to make analysis on ICT and make possible useful communication methods for the deaf to communicate with the hearing and deaf people freely without the barriers. Upon my graduation, I look forward to doing the projects that will benefit the Deaf & Hard of Hearing Community in Fiji.

I am also considering about how to develop more ICT opportunities and how to make sure of these valuable opportunities for the Deaf people in Fiji so that Fiji Deaf Community would be well-connected to the rest of the world with rich information.The World Deaf Leadership (WDL) scholarship has supported me a lot. Without this, my precious education would have not been completed here at Gallaudet University. The scholarship gives me a great key to many opportunities such as internships, global study tour program, international conferences, socialization with international students and American students,and participation in other programs.

At Unitec New Zealand

In 2008, I was accepted to study at UNITEC New Zealand in Auckland, North Island in New Zealand and pursued a certificate in Information Technology. With the support of the sign language interpreters and note takers, I excelled in my course. I was the only one Deaf student who studied together with the typical students in my class as well as at Unitec Student Residential Village where I have lived for 6 months. Everyone I know in this country is connected to Unitec in some way, and it was great that there are so many good people in this community that I have been able to make friends with.

I graduated on September 16, 2009. I was one of 400 graduates who attended Unitec's annual Spring Graduation at the Civic Centre in the Auckland City, where I received my Certificate in Information Technology from the Department of Computing. I believe this is the most important milestone I have ever achieved in my life.

Marist Brothers’ High School

I have studied for a total of 8 years been at both, elementary and high school levels; Hilton Special School and Marist Brothers' High School. I sat for the Fiji Eighth Year Examination. I was elected as the Head Boy of Hilton Special School, Suva, Fiji in 2004 as well as school prefect (2003 and 2002) and did my best in carrying out the duties and responsibilities given to me.

Unfortunately there is no high school specifically for disabled students in Fiji, but having achieved good grades in Eight Year Exams, I was accepted at a high ranking high school in Fiji, Marist Brothers High School, to study with typical students. I passed Fiji Junior Certificate Examination posting 518 out of 600 with flying colors. I was one of two deaf students at Marist Brothers' High School. I received a certificate of Merit for 2nd position in Form 3 (Year 9). I also sat for Fiji School Leaving Certificate Examination and passed it with 308 out of 400. This is a great achievement for the Deaf community as no Deaf has gained such high scores in Fiji. In my journey as a Deaf student, I have tried to be a role model and inspire and motivate my fellow colleagues to keep on striving in their educational goals and career. I firmly believe that it is through education and awareness that one can liberate oneself.

Deaf Community

I have been an active member of the Fiji Association of the Deaf for many years and also an adviser for the High School Deaf Students in Fiji for Sign Language Dictionary Project. An educational meeting has been formed for the deaf students and interpreters where we could share our views about the sign language that we are using at secondary school. I also contributed towards the International Deaf Day Awareness celebrations in Fiji last year by giving an invaluable speech on the importance of adopting sign language in the government and private organizations so as to create a greater culture of inclusiveness for both, the deaf students and the deaf public. It pleased me to note that this was covered by the media and thus my message would have reached the authorities concerned. Furthermore I have been involved in Deaf community activities like National Disabled Games which happens once every year in Fiji. I have also been an active volunteer at the Fiji Association of the Deaf as a newsletter editor for the Deaf and hearing community in Fiji.

In all my endeavors, I am happy and fortunate to have had the total support of my families, friends and community.