Today, at the heart of the National University of Samoa, a distinguished education award was presented to the Manu Folau (Vice Chancellor), Rev Professor Upolu Luma Vaai by the Chair of the Pacific Circle Consortium (PCC), Professor Thanh Truc Nguyen for his invaluable contribution to reimaging and transforming education in the region. The award carries the name of Professor Neil Baumgart, an Australian distinguished scholar and a visionary educator and one of the forces behind the success of PCC for many years who fought to improve education in the Asia-Pacific region. In the presentation of the award, the Chair said, “Professor Vaai, you have dedicated your life to ensuring that education serves people and communities. Through your leadership and scholarship, you have elevated Pacific philosophies and indigenous wisdom, offering us frameworks of relationality, justice, and care that speak powerfully to the challenges of our world. Your voice and scholarship has carried beyond the Pacific, reminding the global community that our region is not a periphery, but a place of deep knowledge and vision.” She continues, “Vaai exemplifies the spirit of the award, generous in collaboration, courageous in thought, and committed to a future where education strengthens both local identities and global relationships.” Professor Vaai is in Samoa invited by the Consortium, with representatives from universities in Hawaii, New Zealand, Australia, Japan, the United States and across the Pacific region including the Chancellor, Vice Chancellor and the family of The National University of Samoa to deliver a keynote address on the theme of their 49th Annual Conference: “Education and Wellbeing: Conversations Across the Moana”. Professor Vaai in his keynote said, “The reimagining of the story of Pasifika education requires a reappraisal grounded in our ‘whole of life’ philosophies, values, and spiritualities is a mammoth yet a very important task. If we want a story that heals, that carries all that is us, that cares for the least amongst us, that includes others different from us, that is rooted in a foundation deeper within us, and founded in a purpose greater than us, then don’t just change the story. Change the foundation of the story.” Professor Vaai in his acceptance speech for the award said that he is truly humbled by this high recognition though that there are others who are more qualified to receive this award. He thanked the Chair and the PCC board, as well as the organising committee for the recognition of the importance of our Pacific values, and ways of knowing and being, and how these can contribute to the vision of reimaging of our education systems and research structures globally.
The PCU community wishes to acknowledge and offer our heartfelt congratulations for this well deserved award for our Manu Folau. Vinaka vakalevu!
