Pacific Fulbright Scholar Set for a Change of Climate

News Release
2 July 2012
For Immediate Release
Pacific Fulbright Scholar Set for a Change of Climate

Waikato Management and Sustainability student awarded prestigious Fulbright Scholarship to complete her studies in California

HAMILTON, NEW ZEALAND - Tongan Master’s student Lora Vaioleti has just been announced as one of only eight 2012 Fulbright General Graduate Award recipients at the recent Fulbright awards held on Wednesday evening. Vaioleti, who has a passion for improving climate change resilience in the Pacific, was awarded the scholarship at the Beehive, Wellington and will complete her studies at the University of California, Irvine under the Masters programme of Demographic and Social Analysis (DASA).

“Being the recipient of a Fulbright award is a true privilege. It not only enables me to be taught and supervised by international thought leaders in the field of climate change, security and resilience, but I can attempt to realise the dream of the founder of the Fulbright exchange program to increase global understanding through education to enable future peace,” Stated Vaioleti. “Climate change in the Pacific is one part of a global problem – here I have an incredible opportunity to gain the necessary global perspective. ”

The Fulbright programme rose in the aftermath of World War II and is one of the most prestigious and influential international exchange programmes in the world, with alumni worldwide including heads of state, Nobel and Pulitzer Prize winners, CEO’s of Fortune 500 corporations and university presidents alike.

“I started my career path in health; I graduated with distinction from the University of Otago as a Physiotherapist in 2006 but in six short years my career has taken a 180 degree turn,” said Vaioleti. “I am increasingly interested in the potential in futures; for the Pacific, the future cannot be separated from climate change, and there is general agreement on the many threats in climate change that exist for Pacific People; but there are also many opportunities in the future and I hope to uncover, highlight and help develop these.”

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“I chose The University of California, Irvine as it has a growing reputation as leaders in research and it was just named as the top U.S University less than 50 years old and fourth in the world,” Vaioleti said. “With the comprehensive support of Fulbright New Zealand, I am excited to learn under the DASA programme, especially in terms of social solutions to the social consequences of climate change. I am hopeful for the chance to build mutually beneficial relationships with those in UC Irvine’s world renowned research centres, and maintain these bonds on returning to New Zealand.”

After leaving her career as a physiotherapist in 2010, Lora dove into full time study as a management student and in this time worked as the marketing manager of a growing Auckland company, started two small businesses and led research projects under IMPAECT, a regional NGO, around issues of education on climate change in New Zealand.

Surprisingly, though her eyes are firmly set on the future, Lora is more tentative when discussing future academic plans.

“Though it may seem logical to continue onto a PhD programme following completion of my Master’s this will depend on the urgency of the issues being faced by the Pacific in terms of climate change,” States Vaioleti. “I will stay open to options but it may be necessary to get my hands dirty and leave the ‘Dr.’ prefix for a later date.”

Lora leaves for California at the end of August and expects to complete her Master’s by April 2013.
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