Vaka Pasifika Program equips regional students with leadership skills at University’s Dookie campus

The University of Melbourne has partnered with the Pasifika Schools Network and Know Your Roots Inc. to host the ‘Vaka Pasifika: Student Leadership Program’ for Pasifika high school students from the Goulburn Valley region.

The event hosted students from Greater Shepparton Secondary College at the University’s Dookie campus, which included a lecture on agriculture from Senior Research Fellow Dr. Viliamu Iese, and an ethnomusicology lecture from the University’s Oceania Institute Research Fellow, Rita Seumanutafa-Palala.

Students also participated in an interactive leadership workshop, led by Rita Seumanutafa-Palala, alongside Vice-President of the Pacific Islander Student Association, Gerard Anapu, which provided students with an opportunity to reflect on the skills and strategies they need to become effective leaders.

Pro Vice-Chancellor (Engagement) Professor Sara Wills emphasised the program’s alignment with the University’s focus to strengthen place-based relationships.

“The Vaka Pasifika program is a great example of how the University of Melbourne is building its commitment in the Goulburn Valley region focused on place-based civic and community outcomes,” Professor Wills said.

“We want to work with communities to build authentic connections, and this is just the kind of mutually transformative approach that both responds to community needs and also creates vibrant social and cultural spaces on campus that everyone can engage with.”

The Vaka Pasifika program, led by the University’s Oceania Institute, aims to empower Pasifika students to view higher education as a ‘Vaka’ (Tongan for ‘vessel’) – a meaningful way to navigate and achieve both educational and career aspirations.