The National University of Samoa (NUS) held its graduation ceremony earlier today where hundreds of proud family members packed into the university’s gymnasium to honor the hard work and dedication of students from first time graduates to post graduate, masters and even doctorate awards.
Amongst the graduates was AL Dalmar Chu Ling, the Samoan famous tiktoker with over 81k followers and whose videos have an accumulated 1.2M likes.
Named after the initals of his maternal grandfather, Afioga Aiolupotea Lafoga who passed away on the day he was born, AL Chu Ling is the third eldest of six boys. His middle name is a combination of his father’s younger siblings; ALs uncle Dallas and his aunty Mara.
He is the 22 year old son of Samoa’s Ministry of Commerce Industry and Labour (MCIL) CEO, Pulotu Lyndon Chu Ling, also an NUS Masters in Development Studies graduate. His mom is Sauimalae Lepainenea Malolo Chu Ling, Country Manager of the LDS Trust for Samoa and American Samoa, also a senior member of the Samoa Institute of Accountants (SIA).
Following in his mother’s footsteps into the Accounting profession with the completion of a 4-year Bachelor of Commerce degree, Chu Ling also took out the Top Commercial Law student award for 2021.
Responding to questions from Samoa Global News the proud ex-student of Pesega College said balancing work and school was a big challenge but with the push of his supportive parents, family, friends and work colleagues, he was able to do it all.
“I work 9 hours during the day and then go to night class for another 4 hours and in all honesty, it’s pretty exhausting,” he said.
“I believe in the power of prayer because through God everything is POSSIBLE,” he added.
He shares with us the experience of a daily ritual instilled by his parents, where the whole family would kneel and pray together.
“Every single morning my parents call us into their room for prayer to start the day off strong.. we all kneel together around their bed and pray before we leave the house”.
“It’s something so powerful for us as a strong family bonding through prayers,” shares AL.
Asked what his advice would be for aspiring students for night classes while in full time employment, Al says planning is important and to, “work smarter not harder”.
“Always have a plan. Even if you fail, don’t stay there; get up and move forward,” he shares.
“O le sailiga manuia e lē o se mea faigofie, so always push forward and never give up”.
“Stick to the wisdom of your parents and find friends that want to see you succeed and do good in life”.
Mr Chu Ling acknowledged God and all that He has blessed him with.
“All the Glory goes back to our Heavenly Father because without his divine grace, we are nothing. God Bless the beautiful people of Samoa”.
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