Date: 30 Jan 2024
Secretary University of the South Pacific Student Association (USPSA) Laucala Campus
Tell us about a project or accomplishment during your time at the USPSA that you consider to be the most significant in your career?
I had the opportunity to work with several inspiring Pacific student leaders who have been through this office during their term as the USPSA Laucala Executive members. The years I served as the USPSA Secretary has been a worthwhile and enriching experience in guiding and mentoring student leaders in achieving some important milestones for the USPSA Laucala. First of these was restructuring of the USPSA Laucala Secretariat Office. Secondly, changes on policies in the USPSA Laucala Secretariat Office in employing a full time Finance Officer to oversee the management of funds with the branch. Thirdly, several Executive leaders have led and implemented student needs projects during their terms -such as new study spaces and facilities. There has also been the exciting partnership with Balance of Power to work together on projects/ programs to raise awareness and address the need for shared leadership and in improving women’s leadership.
In your opinion – how has Balance of Power influenced the USPSA Executive and views on leadership?
I really value the relationship we created with BOP; I acknowledge the Executive committee lead by David Merick who connected BOP with USPSA Laucala.
I see the working relationship as an advantage in assisting USPSA Laucala Women’s Committee and in assisting the Laucala branch to recognize , empower and engage the young girls in breaking the barriers and taking up leadership roles.
In your opinion, what role might the USP and the USPSA play in promoting women’s leadership?
The role that USP and USPSA can play an important role in promoting and supporting leadership role is to develop policies that will allow more women to take up leadership roles within USP and USPSA (especially Laucala campus). This is something that USP has already been working on, and hopefully will roll out to address the same needs and priorities of promoting women’s leadership in other campuses.
There is still much to be done, USP and USPSA Laucala still need to play an active role in raising awareness on women’s leadership and they should actively look into supporting our USP women in their leadership aspirations. I believe the working relationship between USPSA Laucala and BOP is a good starting point, and a step ahead already in addressing this critical issue.