Innovative case studies from this research, and other projects led by听UC鈥檚听Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies听(MBC)听in the Pacific and locally, are incorporated into the teaching of these new courses and are linked with the听.
鈥淭he inclusion of student and staff perspectives from across the university was important in designing these courses,鈥澨齈acific Academic Lead听Ashalyna听Noa says.听
鈥淪tudents we surveyed听saw great value in Pacific听Studies听courses for wide ranging reasons - they could deepen their understanding of the Pacific, be exposed to and normalise diverse world views as part of their听studies, andlearn how to effectively engage in cross-cultural settings.鈥
The courses were developed听by听UC鈥檚 new听PAKC -听Pacific Knowledge and Culture hub, which incorporates听the听world class听MBC听and the听Pacific Development听Team听(PDT). PDT听provides听pastoral care to Pacific students听and听supports academic staff听to enhance听Pacific听success听on campus.听
The introduction of the new courses,听as well as听the Pacific Studies minor,听complements听existing programmes offered at UC听and will equip听learners with the knowledge and skills to听further听their postgraduate,听research听and career听pathways.
Earlier this year, UC appointed Fijian scholar Distinguished Professor Steven听Ratuva听as its听first Te听Amorangi听| Pro-Vice-Chancellor Pacific.听
鈥淭he Pacific听Studies听courses will provide the relevant prisms and intellectual tools to analyse and understand Pacific cultures, sustainability, resilience, innovation and transformation in a changing world,鈥澨齈rofessor听Ratuva says.听
鈥淏ecause the content themes听introduce students to values of cultural understanding, equity and diversity, the courses will connect well with other disciplines as well as contextualise New Zealand鈥檚 identity in the Oceanic region.鈥澨
The courses, offered in person and online,听will include guest lectures by community knowledge holders, leading Pacific experts,听practitioners听and policy makers.听
Future听and current UC听students听can听now听enrol in these three new courses,听and the Pacific Studies minor,听on the UC website.
