Born in the remote rural lands of Vanua Levu, Fiji, Dr. Sudesh Kumar was the second youngest of six children in a traditional farming household. His earliest memories are shaped by the rhythm of the land—watching his father till the soil and his mother carry the weight of daily domestic responsibilities. Education wasn’t a given in his home; it was a luxury. Most of his siblings remained uneducated, consumed by the need to contribute to the family’s survival. But from a 2nd youngest of six, Kumar dreamt differently. He wanted to be a pilot.
Unfortunately, his dream took a backseat to financial reality. Becoming a pilot required resources his family didn’t have. He pivoted—first toward a surveying degree, then to civil engineering. “I realized surveying had limited openings. Engineering, though—that was a field where I could really make a difference,” he recalls. And make a difference he did. His educational journey began at Fiji Institute of Technology, which is now known as Fiji National University. What makes his story compelling is that he never had the privilege of being a full-time student. He worked full-time jobs while studying part-time, sometimes taking four years to complete courses others would finish in two.
But his resolve remained unshaken. After earning his diplomas in construction and civil engineering, he moved into the Public Works Department of the Fijian government—a step that would be the launchpad of his lifelong journey. Over the years, he transitioned between public and private sectors, always looking for opportunities to grow and contribute. What set him apart was not just his technical expertise, but his hands-on attitude. “I’ve always preferred being out in the field,” he says. “Not sitting in an office designing, but going to the site, meeting people, and solving the real-worlds problems.”
As his career progressed, he worked with multiple organizations, managing significant infrastructure programs funded by international donors like the European Union and Australian Aid. Whether it was road design, school buildings, or cyclone-resilient structures, Dr. Kumar always led with purpose. He became known for his willingness to work in remote, inaccessible regions, often crossing islands by boat and living with locals to ensure that projects were delivered with both quality and dignity.
Despite the professional accolades and career milestones, Dr. Kumar never lost sight of his roots. His story is a reminder that excellence isn’t born from privilege, but from perseverance. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, when work came to a halt and he found himself idle, he used the setback as a springboard—applying for roles abroad and eventually relocating to New Zealand to work with the Waitomo District Council.
In the serene yet isolated stretches of Vanua Levu, one of the two main islands of Fiji, a young boy named Sudesh Kumar was born into a life of simplicity and struggle. His upbringing was deeply rooted in the soil his father cultivated. From the early days, life was about survival—about waking up before dawn, tending to the farm, and making the most out of what little they had. As the 2nd youngest of six children, Sudesh bore witness to the daily grind of a household where education was not prioritized, but responsibilities certainly were.
His parents—his father, a committed farmer, and his mother, a devoted homemaker—shaped his worldview through action rather than words. Their lifestyle wasn’t rich in wealth, but it was rich in values: discipline, honesty, and hard work. Most of his siblings joined the workforce early, foregoing education to help sustain the family. But something inside young Sudesh yearned for more—something beyond the sugarcane fields and the farm gates. That yearning, first a whisper, grew into a vision. He wanted to fly planes. The sky was his first dream.
However, dreams often collide with reality, and in Sudesh’s case, the financial limitations were impossible to ignore. With no means to pursue aviation, he had to realign his ambitions. That pivot became a defining moment. Instead of taking it as defeat, he asked himself: “What can I still do to make an impact?” The answer, he found, lay in the built environment—in the infrastructure that supported life, connected communities, and shaped futures.
Initially, he enrolled in a surveying diploma, seeing it as a practical entry point. However, one year into the course, he realized its limitations—there were few opportunities and even fewer prospects for upward growth. Unwilling to settle, he switched to civil engineering, a discipline he found more dynamic and impactful. “Engineering gave me hope,” he says. “It opened more doors—roads, bridges, water. It was a way to contribute tangibly.”
Studying in those days was no small feat. The educational infrastructure in Vanua Levu was limited, forcing him to relocate to the main island, Viti Levu, to attend classes. He lived in a shared boarding house, cooked his meals, washed his clothes, and studied late into the night after long hours of labor. “Life was tough,” he admits, “but it was mine, and I chose not to complain.”
Dr. Kumar’s path was always unconventional. Unlike many students who focused solely on academics, he juggled jobs to pay for his tuition, books, and rent. While most completed diplomas in two years, it took him nearly four—stretching every dollar, every hour, and every ounce of mental strength he had. But he didn’t just survive; he learned. And what he learned outside the classroom—the balance of time, the value of grit, the strength of independence—would shape him even more than textbooks ever could.
After laying the strong foundations of resilience, education, and work ethic during his formative years, Dr. Sudesh Kumar took his first bold step into the professional world through the Public Works Department of Fiji. Here, the lessons he had learned in classrooms and in the fields were brought to life. But what truly distinguished this phase of his journey was not just the application of technical knowledge—it was his ability to adapt, grow, and lead in environments that were completely new, challenging, and far outside his comfort zone.
At Public Works, he started as a junior technical assistant. Despite the entry-level title, the responsibilities were enormous—working on projects ranging from roads, bridges, reservoirs, jetties, buildings, and hospitals, often involving coordination with architects, surveyors, and other engineers. “I was learning every day,” Dr. Kumar recalls. “It was more than just civil engineering; it was about people management, time management, and community service.”
His capacity to juggle multiple roles soon caught the attention of senior officers, and his growth was rapid. Recognizing his potential, the department began sponsoring him for further studies, investing in the very foundation of his future leadership. He didn’t take this support lightly. He worked harder, studied deeper, and began rising through the ranks—not just in title, but in capability.
But what came next would surprise even him. Driven by an eagerness to explore new arenas, and guided by a sense of confidence in his growing skills, Dr. Kumar stepped into a completely different sector—finance and banking. It was a leap not many engineers would consider, but he was never one to follow convention.
He joined Home Finance Company Limited (HFC) as a Building Inspector and was later promoted to Acting Branch Manager in the western division. At just 25 years old, Dr. Kumar was placed in a leadership position most would have waited decades for. “I was managing loans, valuations, property portfolios—things I never imagined myself doing as a civil engineer,” he shares. The company trusted him not because of his financial background—he had none—but because of his reliability, problem-solving mindset, and remarkable ability to learn fast.
In a very short span, Dr. Kumar’s work began to speak for itself. When he joined, the lending portfolio of the branch stood at $6 million. By the time he left, it had grown to an impressive $16.6 million. “I was assessing loans of up to a quarter million dollars, handling property inspections, and managing customer relationships,” he says. “I didn’t have formal training in finance, but I had common sense, diligence, and the ability to listen and adapt.”
After making a name for himself in both public infrastructure and financial leadership, Dr. Sudesh Kumar returned to his true calling—civil engineering in public service. This phase marked a deeply fulfilling period of his life, where he aligned his personal mission with professional roles. Joining the Suva City Council, one of Fiji’s largest local government bodies, he was determined to serve not just systems and structures, but the very people whose lives were impacted by them.
His journey with the council began with the role of Building Inspector, where he was responsible for structural inspections, scope and design assessments, and evaluating proposed developments within city limits. But Dr. Kumar was not content with mere oversight. His hands-on experience and sharp insight into engineering best practices allowed him to transform routine responsibilities into platforms for improvement. He worked side by side with the Senior Structural Engineer and Building Surveyors, contributing valuable technical recommendations that made him a vital figure within the council.
As time passed, his leadership capabilities came to the fore, and he was promoted to Property Officer, eventually serving as Acting Property Manager. Here, his responsibilities broadened dramatically. He was entrusted with the management of over $100 million in civic assets, including buildings, parks, gardens, halls, and public amenities. “It was no longer just about buildings—it was about managing the people, spaces, and systems that made up the living fabric of the city,” he reflects.
One of his core responsibilities involved preparing reports and presenting them to the city council during monthly meetings. From civic amenities proposals to tenant lease agreements, his work touched every aspect of public asset management. He dealt with government and private sector tenants, auditoriums and public halls, and even managed short-term and long-term maintenance schedules. His ability to handle multiple verticals simultaneously showcased not only his technical skill but also his project coordination and administrative expertise.
During this time, he was also deeply involved in public-facing projects, where interaction with ratepayers and local citizens was routine. He didn’t shy away from challenges—instead, he embraced them. He spoke to residents, listened to their grievances, and made it his responsibility to ensure that their needs were addressed. Whether it was managing a leak in a civic hall’s roof, organizing grass-cutting contracts, or overseeing the upgrade of a public park, Dr. Kumar approached each task with integrity and precision.
Another defining feature of this phase was his increasing involvement in legal matters. As the council’s representative, he often had to appear in court to address tenancy disputes, contractual violations, and civic issues. “It wasn’t just about laws and leases,” he explains. “It was about ensuring fairness, protecting public interest, and making sure the council’s values were upheld.” Apart from this, Dr. Kumar was also actively involved in cultural and religious service. Since 2003, he has been a devoted member of The Nasoka Ramayan Faag Mandali and served as its Patron for 4 years.