After being the first in his family to complete a university degree and now a PhD from the University of Otago, Michael Fusi Ligaliga exclaimed: “There is no way I can take full credit for all my academic achievement.”
A native of New Zealand, Michael is also the first Pacific Island student to earn a PhD through the National Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies (NCPACS) at the University of Otago.
His thesis, entitled: Faa Samoa: Peacebuilder or Peacebreaker? Understanding Samoa’s Domestic Violence Problem: A Peace and Conflict Perspective, was named on the University of Otago Humanities Divisional List of Exceptional Doctoral Theses. The list comprises only those doctoral candidates whose research is among the top 10% of theses examined. Only a small number of Pacific Island PhD candidates have achieved this award since its inception in 2007.
Michael credits his success in educational pursuits to his family.
“While my mum and dad did not complete high school,” he said, “they both ensured that their children knew the importance of an education. Immigrating to New Zealand from Samoa for better employment, they worked countless hours in different jobs to provide every opportunity for their children.”
Of his wife of 12 years, Faalima, Michael commented, “I could not have reached my academic goals without her unwavering support. She has made many personal sacrifices to ensure that I could work toward my own personal dreams and aspirations. This is a celebration of her contributions as much as mine.”
“My two children, Joanie Anela and Leachim Landonn, have also been a great support during my PhD studies, as well as my siblings.”
With respect to his faith, Dr Ligaliga said: “While obtaining a secular education was a priority, it was secondary to serving the Lord. I was taught by my parents that if I put the Lord first, everything would fall into its rightful place.”
He is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served as a full-time missionary in the Samoa Apia Mission from 1998 to 2000.
While in Samoa he immersed himself in the Samoan culture as he served members and friends in the local community and taught them about the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.
“Looking back, my mission provided me with a wonderful learning platform towards my PhD studies. I was able to gain a deeper understanding of Faa Samoa both linguistically and culturally which allowed me to articulate and weave certain aspects of the Samoan culture through the peace and conflict lens employed in my research.”
He continued: “I was also able to build extensive relationships with individuals that helped me during my PhD field research. The beauty about my research is that I am still a student to my Samoan culture, and I have a strong desire to learn more.”
The crux of Michael’s thesis examined the domestic violence problem in Samoa through the peace and conflict discipline.
“The purpose of my research,” he says, “is to provide a platform for new discussions where past and current dialogue can be challenged and critiqued.”
“I hope that my academic achievements can inspire my Pacific people. Whether it be through education, sports, music or the arts—we all need to be an agent of change.”