A New Zealand university is hoping to boost its numbers of Pacific students and academics.
Pasifika are the second-lowest proportion of people with degrees or higher qualifications in New Zealand, according to the Ministry of Education, although the number studying is rising.
Photo: RNZ/Daniela Maoate-Cox
Seven percent of the student population is Pasifika at Waikato University, which is trying to capitalise on the growing numbers.
Its deputy vice-chancellor academic, Robyn Longhurst, said it has brought in a plan to try and attract more Pasifika students, but also to keep them studying.
"We want the students not just to come, but come and be well supported, you know, they need to come and succeed. So what we're really paying attention to is making sure that once students get with us we're able to support them. So the last thing we want is for them to arrive with us and then not succeed, not complete their first year, not go through on to completing second and third year and graduating," Robyn Longhurst.
Robyn Longhurst said the plan included creating a culture of belonging for all Pacific students to nurture their learning styles.
