There were tears of pride in the audience when SACL student Sina Ah Sam received her New Zealand Pacific Scholarship Top Achiever Award at a special ceremony.

There were tears of pride in the audience when SACL student Sina Ah Sam received her New Zealand Pacific Scholarship Top Achiever Award at a special ceremony.

The second-year commerce student received the award in front of Samoan High Commissioner Leasi Papali'i Tommy Scanlan, as well as a crowd of friends, University staff and representatives from award sponsors, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Sina received the award for outstanding academic results in her first year in the New Zealand Pacific Scholarship, run by the New Zealand Aid Programme at Victoria.

Sina is studying Accounting and Commercial Law and Taxation. In addition, she is this year a mentor for first-year commerce students for the Māori and Pasifika mentoring programme, Te Pūtahi Atawhai. Sina is also a member of the Samoan Students’ Association and Victoria Plus.

She also recieved a special award at the recent Victoria Business School Excellence Awards, the Adrian Wimmers Prize for the top first year Commerce student.

In her speech, Sina encouraged her fellow Pasifika students to make the most of opportunities studying at Victoria.

"When we come here to study, we not only represent ourselves and our families, we are representing a nation that is hopeful of us and is awaiting our return so we can use the knowledge we gain to make a difference back home and contribute to its development."

Helena Cook and Julia McEnteer from Victoria's New Zealand Aid Scholarships team presented Sina with a pounamu necklace as a taonga to recognise her success.

Dr Cook says she remembered Sina from the moment she stepped off the plane in Wellington from Samoa last year.

"She was very shy and quiet, but has blossomed into someone who’s confident and doing such an amazing job. I’ve been really impressed with her heart, the way she’s endlessly upbeat and acing her classes."

Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Pasifika) Associate Professor Hon. Luamanuvao Winnie Laban praised Sina's perseverance and passion that has seen her achieve top grades, and her generosity in finding time to help other students as a mentor.

"Sina studies hard and aims high, and that’s going to provide wonderful opportunities in the future when she starts her career. Sina is a great role model for our Pasifika students as she personally demonstrates the importance of academic achievement."

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