By Tony Hiriasia Jr
From the remote village of Rara in the southern region of Malaita Province to earning a PhD in Politics and International Relations from the University of the South Pacific, Tony Hiriasia Sr journey is filled with hard work and determination to overcome the odds that stands in the way of academic glory.
Growing up in a remote village on the island of Malaita in the 1970s and the 1980s, education was a pathway to a better life.
Dr Hiriasia Snr’s late father Paul Hiriasia played a very significant role in his educational journey. A teacher by profession, his late father instilled in his children the desire to pursue education, despite the financial challenges of sending all his children to school.
“I grew up on a remote village on the island of Malaita in the late 1970s and 1980s, I walked to school during weekdays and also had to do house chores after school,” he reflects on his humble beginnings.
“My late father had an influence on me, especially developing the desire to go to school and pursue qualifications.”
The pursuit of academic success took him on a 2,232 kilometres journey beyond the shores of his native Solomon Islands to the University of the South Pacific in Fiji, where he began his academic journey with undergraduate studies and later progressing to postgraduate studies. Moving his nuclear family from Honiara to Suva was a challenge, however in pursuit of a better life Dr Hiriasia was determined and optimistic.
His realisation that pursuing further education could lead to better financial opportunities marked a turning point in his life.
“There was a time when I decided to pursue further education because I was not satisfied with what I was paid then,” he acknowledges. This insight sparked the desire for success in him.
“I believed that getting higher qualifications would also improve my chances of getting better pay.”
Finding a balance between studies and family responsibilities can frequently seem like an impossible task. One of the challenges he had to overcome was juggling the demands of studies and family responsibility.
“I mainly found it difficult to study and fulfil family responsibilities at the same time. This especially true for house chores and other responsibilities,” he said. However, through proper planning and time management he was able to balance these competing priorities.
“One way I overcame this was through proper planning and sticking to a strict timetable”, said Dr Hiriasia Snr.
When he moved his family of five to Fiji his fate was put to the ultimate test.
“One of the main challenges was getting enough money to meet all the family needs,” he admitted. Despite the challenges he encountered, his tenacity to create a better life for his family motivated him to succeed.
Juggling the demands of personal and professional life could be challenging at times but has figured out solutions to maintain a well-balanced life. “I have a proper daily timetable that outlines what I do each day” he said. “In doing so, I allocate time for both my personal and professional life.”
Apart from his professional life he devotes his free time to pursuing his hobbies – painting and digital designing.
Throughout his educational journey, he highlighted the significant role his mentors played in shaping his academic path.
“My father and the supervisors I have worked with in the past few years has been instrumental,” he admits. The help and assistance from his mentors have given a solid basis for personal and professional growth.
He acknowledged the importance of building relationships in attaining success. “Relationship is very important to any success and having supportive partners helps one to stay strong and focused on a goal,” said Dr Hiriasia Sr.
Emphasising the importance of having a circle of supportive individuals as a necessity to keep one focused and determined.
A significant moment in his life was graduating with a PhD from the University of the South Pacific.
“When I graduated with my PhD, it was one of the most important achievements of my life,” according to Dr Hiriasia Sr. The achievement reflected the long years of hard work and sacrifice. Through his educational journey, he has acquired valuable insights about self-believe and hard work.
“Anything is possible to those who believe in themselves and work hard to achieve their goals,” he added.
Reflecting on his plans for the future, Dr Hiriasia Sr highlighted his interest in venturing into business. When asked where he sees himself in the next five years he said, “I should own my business then and take a plunge into the world of business.
“Pursue your education as if your life is dependent on it”, were his words of advice to those who are embarking on their academic journey, a mantra that has defined his academic journey.
Dr Hiriasia Sr journey from the shores of Malaita to the lecture rooms of the University of the South Pacific is a testament of resilience and the quest for knowledge.
