TALANOA with Koto Qalo Uni of Melbourne Pasefika students

Pasefika students at the University of Melbourne have formed an association, the Pacific Islands Students Association (PISA), to provide each other and new students support.

University of Melbourne campus. Credit: University of Melbourne

We spoke to the president of PISA, Ms Koto Qalo, who is studying computer engineering and hails from the Lau Group in Fiji.

Among the work they do is to assist new students during orientation and creating networks with the local Pasefika community in Victoria and Pasefika students in other Universities in Australia.

Ms Koto Qalo also plays rugby union for the University of Melbourne and encourages other young women to play and enrol for higher learning.