Uplifting through education
Education has been the key to everything Dr Ali'itasi Su’a-Tavila has achieved in life. Now, her purpose is to support others to reach their own goals through academic success.
23 March 2021
Ali'itasi is Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington’s inaugural senior lecturer in Pasifika health, and will become the new undergraduate programme director in the School of Health in July. She spent 15 years working as a public servant before pursuing higher education and was motivated to study after realising she couldn’t support Pacific communities in the way she wanted to without a qualification.
“I’m a great believer that education is the key to changing your situation. I studied for 10 years straight—from my diploma, to my degree, to my Master’s, to my PhD, to my postdoc. That’s how motivated I was.
“Education meant there was a huge door open for me to explore the world and do what I wanted to do.”
After graduating, Ali'itasi took up a position as a senior lecturer at Whitireia. She moved into a role managing Whitireia’s Bachelor of Social Work and Bachelor of Early Childhood Education, before taking up her role here.
For Aliitasi, providing support to Pasifika students, whether or not they are taking her courses, is a key part of her role.
“I understand that many Pasifika students may come from families that struggle to make ends meet. I’ve been in their situation, and I know what it’s like to be a hungry student. That’s why I support them and make sure they’re succeeding.
“When I started my educational journey, my husband and son and I struggled, because we did not have any income at all. We used to live on the student allowance. My husband is now a qualified plumber, and we’ve shifted ourselves completely out of the level where we used to struggle to make ends meet.
“It’s all about education. I want to help students see that although they may be struggling, they will reap the benefits of their hard work when they’re successful. What I always say to Pacific students is: education is the only way out.”
Ali'itasi also wishes to increase the understanding amongst health students about the values of the Pacific community.
“It’s important that when students work with Pacific communities, in whatever role they go on to work in, they understand the context of the conversation, and the values and worldview of Pacific communities.
“It’s about understanding Pacific cultural expectations, and how to engage with Pacific people in a culturally appropriate manner. Every time we talk Pacific, it’s not about the individual. It’s about communities, and the communal lifestyle, and collaboration. When someone gets sick in a Pacific family, it’s not about that one person—it’s about the family as a whole.”
Ali'itasi herself is an example of these values, and was her father’s primary caregiver while he battled a critical illness. She was completing her PhD at the same time, and was determined to finish it for both of them.
“I was motivated to finish my PhD before anything happened to my dad. I’m the first person in my family to hold a PhD—I wanted him to witness that.”
Ali'itasi’s resilience and dedication to her work make her a role model to both her son, who is now studying at the University, and her wider community.
“My son always says to me, ‘Mum, I’ve got some big shoes to fill.’ I tell him that it’s all about him and his future now. He can see now why I’ve been studying and working so hard.
“It’s a real privilege for me to know that my family and community are really proud of me.”