A Samoan who topped The University of the South Pacific's Professional Diploma Business Management program has credited her aiga (family) for her academic success.

Aurora Jeanius Toreka Elisaia-Va’ai, who currently works for Taula Beverages Company Ltd in Apia, was announced the Valedictorian of her program at the U.S.P. Laucala Campus graduation last Thursday at the Vodafone Arena in Suva, Fiji.

She was part of a group of 26 Samoan students who travelled to Suva with their families and supporters for their graduation at the regional university's main campus. 

Ane Lautusi Moananu, who was the graduating students' course facilitator at the U.S.P. Samoa Campus at Alafua, said the self-funded group of students enrolled in the program at the U.S.P. Alafua campus in July last year and decided to graduate in Suva because they missed out on the Alafua graduation in April this year.

She added that Mrs. Elisaia-Vaai delivered the graduates’ speech on behalf of all the graduates at the ceremony last Thursday after she was announced as the valedictorian. 

Speaking to the Samoa Observer from Suva on Saturday, Mrs. Elisaia-Vaai said it was not easy having to juggle her job at Samoa's only brewery while studying at the U.S.P. Samoa Campus, as well as being a mother to her recently born child Yohannan. 

She said that getting top academic honours as the program's valedictorian was a "pleasant surprise" but she believed she earned it through her hard work as well as the support of her family for the duration of her study program at the regional university.

"I’d like to think that I worked really hard for it because you know in the Bible Jesus talks about no one who puts his hands to the plough and looks back is fit for the kingdom and in the same [vain] it is the sort of motto I think about or at least my parents instilled in me this ethos or work ethics that if you going to do something, don’t do it halfheartedly, do it fully," said Mrs. Elisaia-Vaai. "Don’t commit to it if you don't think you are going to give it your all. I would like to think that all of that contributed to [my being] valedictorian and especially support.

"So no man is an island. It was especially hard coming out of Covid and you know that after the Government had banned beer and we were allowed to sell beer again and then Vailima had moved to Fiji so our production ramped up.

"At the same time, we found out that we were blessed with Yohannan or being pregnant with Yohanan...so all of these things were happening at the same time with work and home and of course in the evenings, three times a week for the classes at U.S.P. not including the weekly tests and assignments."

Looking back at her academic journey after signing up for the program in July last year, Mrs. Elisaia-Vaai said members of her immediate family played significant roles in her overall success and acknowledged her mother Vaosa Epa, her husband Julius Va'ai and her father, Samoa's High Commissioner to Fiji, Aliioaiga Feturi Elisaia as well as her current employer.

"After I had baby, Mum moved in with us, partly so that she could help with baby and that meant that some nights she would take baby to sleep with her in the front so I could do my assignments or so that we could get rest as new parents. 

"So without Mum, I don’t think I would have been able to finish it. Julius, my husband, because he believed in me enough to pay for part of my tuition. He has to put up with my mood swings, especially when I haven’t had enough sleep from work, from school.

"And then my bosses, so my general manager, my managing director at Taula, they really believed in me being able to balance work and school, and the company also helped towards my tuition although I am not sure if they want that known.

"But also my lab technicians because they took on my roles at work, as well as the management there, they took on my roles at work once I had baby and then when they knew I had exams they would give me the day off so that I could study or they would do a lot of the things for me. 

"And of course my father, who is here, who talked to me about it, who prayed for me, you know family friends, different people who encouraged me along the way. I guess even Vaalepa to a certain extent. But I suppose that’s my story, not mine, but God’s grace that brought me through and the people who supported me because they are my village, they are my community and if not for them, I wouldn’t have been able to achieve this, being valedictorian."

According to Mrs. Elisaia-Vaai, she had to sign up for the U.S.P. course because of new responsibilities she was taking on at the brewery and this study program would upskill her.

The Professional Diploma in Business Administration (PDBM) is nationally accredited on the Fiji Qualification Framework (FQF) by the Fiji Higher Education Commission, accredited and registered in the Pacific Register of Qualifications Standards (PQRS). The program is offered under the USP Pacific Technical and Further Education. 

The graduates who were in Fiji last Thursday for the ceremony included: 

Christina Sera Ah Tong

Vaiosina Ainu’ū

Anave Ai’ono

Talamoto Cathy Alovale

Aurora Jeanius Toreka Elisaia-Va’ai

Fa’apulou Fausia Auava

Agnes Harvey

Kesia Sina Leilua

Alosio Leota

Teresa Alena Malaki

Foalalo Mapuilesua Mapusaga-Romeo

Unaite S. Mata’afa

Christina Petelo Memea

Ailepata Mavis Nauer Ulu

Vaivasa Ulufale Papali’i

Samuelu Puleiata

Sulesa Samasoni Aivale

Sulu Situli Seuamuli

Victoria Lonise Taitu’uga

Fuatino Rosettastone Taitu’uga-Savai’inaea

Reupena Tauamiti

Sama’auga Tauamiti

Raihana Tuavale Tua

Tuiafutea Afa Tuala

Salota Aiesi Vaefaga

Timena Pele Vaila’au Peti