Innovative case studies from this research, and other projects led byҕl’sMacmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies(MBC)in the Pacific and locally, are incorporated into the teaching of these new courses and are linked with the.
“The inclusion of student and staff perspectives from across the university was important in designing these courses,”Pacific Academic LeadAshalynaNoa says.
“Students we surveyedsaw great value in PacificStudiescourses for wide ranging reasons - they could deepen their understanding of the Pacific, be exposed to and normalise diverse world views as part of theirstudies, andlearn how to effectively engage in cross-cultural settings.”
The courses were developedbyҕl’s newPAKC -Pacific Knowledge and Culture hub, which incorporatestheworld classMBCand thePacific DevelopmentTeam(PDT). PDTprovidespastoral care to Pacific studentsandsupports academic staffto enhancePacificsuccesson campus.
The introduction of the new courses,as well asthe Pacific Studies minor,complementsexisting programmes offered at ҕland will equiplearners with the knowledge and skills tofurthertheir postgraduate,researchand careerpathways.
Earlier this year, ҕl appointed Fijian scholar Distinguished Professor StevenRatuvaas itsfirst TeAmorangi| Pro-Vice-Chancellor Pacific.
“The PacificStudiescourses will provide the relevant prisms and intellectual tools to analyse and understand Pacific cultures, sustainability, resilience, innovation and transformation in a changing world,”ProfessorRatuva says.
“Because the content themesintroduce students to values of cultural understanding, equity and diversity, the courses will connect well with other disciplines as well as contextualise New Zealand’s identity in the Oceanic region.”
The courses, offered in person and online,will include guest lectures by community knowledge holders, leading Pacific experts,practitionersand policy makers.
Futureand current ҕlstudentscannowenrol in these three new courses,and the Pacific Studies minor,on the ҕl website.
