Talofa Lava and very warm Pacific Greetings!
There is a vibrant Pacifica community at Lincoln which enables students to connect, network, motivate and encourage one another. Pacifica students coming into Lincoln come from all walks of life, some straight out of high schools and some from the workforce. There are local students from Within Christchurch, national, from around the country and even international students, from Samoa, Fiji and Papua New Guinea. In 2010 Lincoln University signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the North Fly Electorate of Papua New Guinea, which gives PNG students an opportunity to come and study at Lincoln under NZODA scholarships.
There are also a number of scholarships offered by Lincoln University where Pacific students are both able and encouraged to apply for. Scholarships may pay for course of study, books, living costs (accommodation) or may be given in the form of monetary award. A number of students have applied and have been awarded with Future Leaders awards, which have contributed to their tuition fees while studying. In addition, Pacific students have been awarded with Sports scholarships which give the recipients the chance to develop and excel in their favourite sport whilst also studying to fulfil the academic component of being a sports scholar.
The university also accommodates a number of Pacifica post graduates, including 4 Masters students, and 4 studying towards the completion of their Ph.D
If you have made the decision to study at Lincoln or are thinking about it, Te Tumu Pacifica (Pacific Development Team) offers a variety of ways to help you make a smooth transition into uni life, excel and succeed.
- PAT- Pacific Academic Tutoring is designed to help students pass and succeed in their chosen fields of study through tutoring either one on one or in a group. Students do not need to pay for this service and is available throughout the year, including summer school. The Pacific Support Coordinator will seek the best tutor from whatever field to accommodate student’s academic needs.
- MENTOR 4 U- This gives continuing students an opportunity to help nurture and develop first year students through mentoring, making them feel comfortable and eliminate feelings of isolation, especially being away from their families and friends. This help occurs through talking, and sharing university life stories and experiences over coffee, which helps to acclimatize first years to uni life.
- CocoNECT- is a social event which happens 4 times a year and is designed to provide some “chillaxing” time for Pacifica students away from their studies. It is also a chance for them to connect, socialize, support and encourage one another in order to make studying fun! It involves activities such as quizzes, cultural nites, and talent quests all wrapped up with pizza or some delicious island food.
The Pacific Support Coordinator provides support and services such as course advice, help with degree planning, finding a tutor and mentoring. Also offered is pastoral care, someone to talk to when the going gets tough, and will direct you to the necessary service if the need be. The PSC helps to create a clear communication link between students and lecturers vice versa, as well as between Lincoln University and the wider Pacific community. For further information regarding “Pacific students” please feel free to contact the Pacific Coordinator.
Ia Manuia,
Christina Laalaai-Tausa