Fijian doctoral recipients among 15 Pasifika graduates at Massey University

Fifteen postgradaute Pasifka students were among graduates at today's two Massey University capping ceremonies in Palmerston North.

Two of them, both from Fiji, received doctoral degrees. Dr Winifereti Nainoca investigated the impact the Fijian way of life has on marine conservation, while Dr Adi Alisi Vudiniabola studied the reasons for the failure of an Australian aid-funded Diploma of Nursing curriculum introduced to Fiji in 2004.

Dr Vudiniabola is the first Pasifika student to be recognised on the College of Humanities and Social Sciences Dean’s List, which requires students to achieve a grade point average of A-minus or better.

Dr Rukmani Gounder, who chairs the Pasifika@Massey Whenua Research Network, says Dr Vudiniabola's achievement is an encouragement to other Pasifika students and her thesis "is an important area of research in the health curriculum discipline. Her thesis is considered to be among the top 10 per cent that has been examined by the examiners in their respective fields."

Dr Gounder says Dr Vudiniabola’s examination of the adoption of Western and Fijian methods in the Fijian nursing curriculum will be a significant contributor to nursing curriculum reforms in Fiji and the wider Pacific region.