An inaugural UniSC Māori and Pasifika mentorship program is helping Moreton Bay high school students connect with mentors, take part in hands-on workshops and campus experiences, and discover pathways to university — all while celebrating their culture and building their confidence.
UniSC Engagement officer Dr Agapetos Aia-Fa’aleava, who leads the Agava'a Mentorship Program, says it works to set up City of Moreton Bay Year 12 Pasifika and Māori High School students for success, by integrating cultural wisdom with practical career and study support.
“In partnership with the UniSC Pasifika Association, we connect high school students with student mentors who understand their journey and share their heritage, support them to develop leadership skills rooted in their cultural identity, and provide access to a range of university experiences,” she said.
“One of our mentors once shared that we are ‘village made’ and the Agava’a Mentorship Program is founded on that philosophy.
“Our culture has played a huge part in the success of this program and credit goes to our participants for taking that step towards a better future for themselves.”
Activities include regular on-campus workshops and events in collaboration with Dolphins NRL, with more than 50 Pasifika and Māori high school students exploring the Moreton Bay campus, learning about higher education options, and participating in interactive workshops.
Māori Pasifika Liaison at Deception Bay State High School Manu Pipitolu said the program had proven to be more than just a support initiative.
“Students have been provided a culturally safe space where their shared ideas are brought to life, seen, heard, and uplifted. It empowers students to connect with both their culture and academic aspirations to serve the collective, which are values tied to Pasifika culture,” he said.
“Our students who have been a part of this process to date have grown and become ambassadors for themselves, their families and their communities.
“This is what programs like Agava'a are about: community, connection, and creating pathways for success that honour where we come from and where we’re headed. Thank you to the team at UniSC who have made this possible."
UniSC Program Officer Paige Faigaa said the experience so far had been “beautifully reciprocal".
“While the students are learning about study and career pathways in a culturally safe space, we as organisers, mentors, and educators are also learning from them. Their insights and presence are making us better at what we do.”
The program is made possible through funding from the Queensland Government and the Higher Education Participation and Partnerships Program (HEPPP), and a grant from the Queensland Government’s Strengthening Multicultural Queensland Program.
UniSC Marketing and Communications Widening Participation Manager Peter Lavercombe said it was gratifying to watch the program develop from an idea and a grant application through to reality.
“I've watched the students grow in confidence each week as they become more familiar with each other, UniSC staff and our Moreton Bay campus. I am very confident that this will lead to some exciting pathways outcomes for these students and those who will follow in future cohorts."
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