Page 36 - IB April 2018

Indepth

Born to teach Professor Thaman: Definitely the stu-

dents. I enjoy teaching; I enjoy teaching
Longest USP academic shares journey students from all our member countries as
well as from other countries. Teaching for me
is the most rewarding profession - I cannot
Most if not all students of the University of imagine doing anything else.
the South Pacific’s Laucala campus will know Professor Thaman: The journey has been
who Professor Konaiholeva Helu Thaman very rewarding. No other university is like IB: You’ve been part of USP since
1974. A lot has changed. Can you
is. She is one of the two longest serving USP, where Pacific students are in a majority highlight some of the major changes
academic staff of the university. She and compared to when I was an undergraduate in the university?
her husband Professor Randy Thaman both at Auckland University where I felt lost and
joined the university in early 1974 and have alone in a sea of white/pakeha students. Simi- Professor Thaman: Some of the major
been there ever since. From Nuku’alofa in larly at the University of California, the scene changes at the university includes:
Tonga, Professor Thaman or Konai as she was the same. I enjoy teaching and getting
prefers to be called is also a popular poet and to know students from around the region. I - The move to restructure USP into faculties.
an author. As the University of the South Pa- have also enjoyed helping out in the areas of We used to have schools and departments.
cific celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, management as well as community outreach. Now we have faculties, schools, sections
Professor Thaman who has been part of it for I managed to finish my Phd while working etc. Things have become more bureau-
44 years spoke to Mereseini Marau-Totoka here full time, which was another rewarding cratic and time is spent on planning, going
about her journey at the university and the thing as I was able to do my fieldwork in my to meetings and ticking boxes rather than
changes she has witnessed over the years. home country. teaching and researching.

IB: You are known in the region as IB: What is it about USP that made - Things have become more donor driven
Konai Helu Thaman, the poet and an you remain all these years? - we have become dependent on foreign
author. Can you please tell us more partners and they often drive projects &
about Konai Helu Thaman as an
academic. outcomes.

Professor Thaman: I am cur- - The move to online learning is inevitable
rently Professor of Pacific Edu- but it means fewer students enjoying face
cation & Culture at the School to face contact (very important for Pacific
of Education at USP. I joined communities), both with staff as well as
USP in 1974 as lecturer in with one another.
Geography and moved
to Education in 1975. - Eating together in the past in the dining hall
I have been teaching was important for student interaction and
at the School of Educa- inter-cultural learning and understanding.
tion since then. I have gone The food hall has replaced this and it
through from lecturer to pro- has helped reduce the cost of run-
fessor teaching, researching, ning a dining hall, but it has lost its
writing & managing - so I’ve had regional flavour and communal
a pretty good run at USP doing nature.
just about everything most of our
staff do, including being Head of - We used to have a policy
School, Pro-VC & Director of an of encouraging staff from
institute (Institute Of Education).

IB: You are one of the
longest serving faculty
members of USP. Can
you share your Professor Konaiholeva
journey? Helu Thaman

36 Islands Business, April 2018