Jacob Maiono has achieved great recognition, recently earning four prestigious degrees from the University of Otago in New Zealand. Hailing from Cikobia and aged 45, Jacob is a proud indigenous Fijian who now serves as a lecturer at the university.
He relocated to New Zealand in 2006 to pursue his passion for sports. His journey began as a player for the Rewa football team and the Tailevu Knights, which led him to receive a sports scholarship for his studies in New Zealand.
Jacob’s pursuit of education has spanned 13 years, culminating in several significant qualifications, including:
– Bachelor of Commerce in Management,
– Master of Sustainable Business,
– Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences, and
– Doctor of Philosophy focusing on ‘Sustainable Land Development in Fiji.’
In 2020, Jacob finalized his PhD program, which revolved around the research theme “50 Years of Independence: Indigenous Perception on Sustainable Land Development in Fiji,” reflecting on the utilization of land over half a century since Fiji’s independence.
He emphasizes the importance of revisiting the 50-year milestone to understand indigenous perspectives on land use and development. Jacob advocates for conversations with local communities to gather insights on land management practices that have been in place for the past 50 years.
Through his doctoral research, he aims to shed light on local ecological practices and their relationship to the political landscape concerning land ownership and usage. Jacob also has plans to explore Cicia, referred to as the “Organic Island,” to further investigate sustainable practices beneficial for future generations.
Currently, he is employed as a lecturer in business at the University of Otago. While he believes it’s vital for discussions around indigenous issues to occur, he is hopeful that his research outcomes will empower local communities.
Furthermore, he calls on people to consider what they want to envision for the next 50 years regarding land sustainability and community leadership.