USP’s BA Communication & Media programme sees first alumni – Lorima’s story
BY IRWIN ANGIKI
Lorima Dalituicama has two reasons for celebrating USP’s September 2024 graduation.
First is his successful graduation. Second, Lorima is one of the first two students to graduate from USP’s new dynamic Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Communication and Media programme.
BA Communication and Media combines journalism with linguistics and management & marketing, and allows the student to specialise in any area of choice.
The vast range of possible field of choice include environment, health, inclusive education, marine science, nutrition, Pacific arts & heritage, Pacific policing, social work, tourism, and more.
It is perfectly relevant for careers in the various media and PR/Comms fields. Today, the latter is in high demand as communication is realised as an important cross-cutting factor to an organisation’s success.
At a time when Pacific voices need to be heard on the global stage, Lorima is grateful that the University of the South Pacific (USP) ‘recognises the timely need to roll out this programme for our Blue Pacific’.
Let’s hear Lorima share in his own words how the programme has equipped and placed him well on his way in his career.
Question: Can you give a little background of yourself, entering the BA Communication & Media programme?
Lorima: I was a full time employed part time studying student under this programme. I initially started my journey at USP in the Degree in Journalism & Politics programme as it was the closest available qualification back then, relevant to my profession. However, in my final year, the new BA Comms & Media programme was introduced at USP, I immediately switched programmes as it was the very qualification I needed that matched not only my role at work but my career plans as well.
Question: What are the highlights for you in the programme?
Lorima: As a working student and someone who’s been in the Communications & Media profession for a few years, I am grateful to the University for recognising the timely need to roll out this programme for our Blue Pacific. There are many communicators and media professionals in the Pacific region who have been bravely fighting hard over the years to ensure our Pacific voices are heard, who have been raising our Pacific issues, sharing our Pacific stories which have impacted decisions at the global stage and yet still struggle with paying their bills, because the profession isn’t recognised enough for its fair value. With this programme now available, communications & media personnel can now continue with their passion whilst at the same time, are at ease because they now have the opportunity to receive qualification, ultimately fairly paid work.
Question: How helpful were the staff and the resources provided in the programme courses?
Lorima: The programme is still very new and I believe that it is going to grow and evolve in the coming years, especially with a wonderful and dedicated team behind it. The staff have been very helpful and supportive in my journey, and always available to provide advice and direction, which as a working student is something I truly appreciated.
Question: If you were to promote the programme to a prospect student, what would you say?
Lorima: As an indigenous Pacific Islander, I think it is important for Pacific peoples to be communicating, telling our own Pacific stories, because we live in the realities of these issues. To have the BA Communications & Media programme now in our very regional institute is an opportunity for more Pacific islanders in the communications & media field or any other prospective student to leverage our Pacific voices even more, and into important decision making spaces that affect our development and livelihoods.
Question: What’s next after your successful graduation?
Lorima: My career plan actually involves continuing on to higher studies. I am one of those students who’ve had to spend some time really looking for a career pathway. I’ve studied and dabbled a bit in a totally different industry but my passion for storytelling, especially sharing about our Pacific issues has led me to this path and I feel it’s right for me. So, I hope to be able to still continue being involved in the development and strategic communications work.
Programme coordinator and senior lecturer in the Linguistics department Dr Fiona Willans shares that the programme is gaining momentum.
Two Solomon Islands students are among the current enrolment.
“There are currently 45 students enrolled on the programme. Of those 32 are from Fiji, with only 13 from the other countries of the region.
“When we first started, we attracted quite a few experienced media professionals who didn’t have a degree and wanted to upgrade their qualifications.
“It was initially hard to attract school leavers, because they seemed unaware of the main job opportunities available in communication but this is starting to change now, and we are now getting the majority of our students in through school visits and open days,” Dr Fiona said.
USP, a pillar regional institution, successfully graduated 1,147 scholars in a memorable ceremony spanning two days from September 5-6 with three separate sessions.
An honourable milestone was also witnessed as 701 females graduated, making up 61.12 percent of the graduates.
