Jacob Maiono, a 45-year-old native from Cikobia, is set to receive four prestigious degrees from the University of Otago in New Zealand. He is a lecturer at the university and moved to New Zealand in 2006 to pursue his passion for sports.
Maiono had previously played for the Rewa team and the Tailevu Knights, which allowed him to be recruited to play in New Zealand. He is now looking to return to the university to further his studies, having completed an impressive list of 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, he initiated his PhD program, working on research titled “50 Years of Independence: Indigenous Perception on Sustainable Land Development in Fiji,” studying the effects of land use and management over the past five decades since Fiji’s independence.
Maiono emphasizes the importance of revisiting and reflecting on the last 50 years of land use practices, urging dialogue with rural communities to understand their perspectives on land utilization and ownership. He asserts that there is a significant gap in knowledge regarding effective land use policies, highlighting the need for clarity on legal rights and land management practices.
He identifies two main areas in his research focusing on “land ecology” regarding indigenous land use and “political ecology.” Maiono also plans to explore Cicia, an island known as the “Organic Island,” to investigate sustainable land practices that can be preserved for future generations.
Currently working as a lecturer in the business school at the University of Otago, Maiono believes it is crucial to address the issues faced by native communities through his research, which aims to benefit local residents.
He encourages the community to contemplate future prospects, particularly regarding land and resource management, as well as bridging the gaps between youth and leadership in present-day contexts.