A SENIOR lecturer at the University of the South Pacific (USP) Solomon Islands Campus told students there is no formula for attaining excellence but there is a recipe.
Guest speaker, in Honiara Dr Jack Maebuta made the statement at the Saint Joseph Tenaru school graduation over the weekend.
“If I can tell you an example of attaining excellence is a story about my very own struggles through the education system.
“I was a victim of the education system but I came to realise that attaining excellence rests within my whole being,” Maebuta said.
“Therefore I began to press onward against the odd that was thrown at me by the system.
“I was pushed out of the education system at form 3 at a very remote provincial secondary school in Temotu called Luesalemba.
“When the system pushed me out I said to myself, one day I will push the system.
“Having being pushed out of Form 3 I now prove to the system that with my aspiration to press onward and reached my education destination that I even never thought of.
“So from a form 3 school dropout to a doctorate graduate and a university lecturer and an academic is not an easy journey and there is no formula to it but the recipe of pressing on and believing in myself and trusting that God has a divine purpose for my life.
“Thus, relying on God’s intervention when my human capacity could not handle challenges of studies one of the pillars I run to for comfort is the Proverbs:
“Lean not on your understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.”
He urged the students leaving this year a very best in their educational aspirations and believe that you will not settle for less in your strive for excellence.
Dr Jack Maebuta is a lecturer in education and a honourary associate in the School of Humanities, University of New England, NSW, and Australia.
He has a PhD in Peace Studies from the University of New England.
His PhD thesis investigates ‘The Role of Education in Peace-building in the Solomon Islands.’
He has a number of publications in the areas of education and peace building.
BY ELLIOT DAWEA
