UC Pasifika Strategy 2019-2023
The UC Pasifika Strategy cements the university’s commitment to supporting and graduating the next generation of leaders of Pasifika descent. It also reinforces our vision of a campus community that is culturally inclusive and responsive. A campus in which students and staff value diversity and respect individual differences.
According to the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Educating Pasifika for Success 2012 Report ‘students develop the ability, confidence and motivation to succeed academically when they participate competently as a result of having developed a secure sense of identity and knowledge that their voice will be heard and respected within their learning environment.” It is therefore significant that we celebrate the launch of the second UC Pasifika Strategy 2019–2023. This was ratified and approved in principle by the University Council last November and was officially launched on 1st May 2019.
This strategic document is informed by the voices of our Pasifika students here at UC, ARA Institute of Canterbury and Lincoln University within the findings of a series of AKO Aotearoa funded research projects led by UC Pacific Development Team from 2012 – 2018 (Luafutu-Simpson et al 2015, Noa et al 2018). More information about the findings of these research projects can be found on the AKO Aotearoa website:
- Project: Enhancing Pasifika Success at Canterbury Tertiary Institutions
- Project: Implementing and evaluating a Pasifika resource kit within Canterbury tertiary organisations
UC’s response to these evidence-based recommendations has influenced action points listed in the separate UC Pasifika Strategy Implementation Plan document. They have been discussed, negotiated and agreed upon by our Senior Leadership Team.
We would like to acknowledge the members of the internal Pasifika Strategy Action Group (PaSAG) and members of the external Pacific Peoples Advisory Committee (PPAC) who contributed, discussed and fed into the- two Strategy documents. Both advisory groups meet four times a year to provide advice and support the work of the UC Pasifika Strategy.
