Rose Yukich - PhD in Education

“With my postgraduate qualification I feel better equipped to debate and discuss bicultural/ multicultural issues in education.”

"After completing my Postgraduate Diploma in Education at Te Puna Wānanga (TPW) School of Māori and Indigenous Education, I continued to have an interest in the dynamics of Māori-Pakeha relations both historically and in the present. Now here I am doing my PhD with supervisors based in TPW.

"Before returning to University for my postgraduate studies, I had been a freelance editor, proof-reader and researcher mainly for local government. I had also worked as a secondary school teacher.

"I am a first-generation Pakeha New Zealander and my parents were born in Croatia.

"One of the TPW postgraduate papers I enjoyed the most was on Race, Ethnicity and Education. The theories put forward in this course helped me to better understand my own experiences of growing up in the 1960s and 1970s and the social norms that prevailed then around racial/ethnic difference, and how these affected my family as immigrants.

"Our class was a mix of Māori, Pasifika and Pakeha students. The main essay assignment for this course required students to explore their own ethnic identity in relation to education, and we had to present a seminar to the class based on the essay. Not only did that help hone my own ideas for writing, but I also got to hear about the experiences of the other students, which was an invaluable source of learning.

"The lecturers also put effort into creating a sense of whanaungatanga for our group – each week we shared kai as part of the session and over the duration of the course we supported one another in grappling with the theories and the assignment work.

"My postgraduate studies have improved my writing, research and analytical skills, and provided me with more theoretical tools to think with. I feel better equipped to debate and discuss bicultural/ multicultural issues in education.

"I hope to be able to contribute my research and writing skills in the academic arena through publishing, teaching and working on research projects.

"As an older student, it has been a highlight for me to form an ongoing relationship with TPW staff and students in a supportive environment. It has been a pleasure to cross paths with and learn from a diverse group of fellow students, including international PhD students, and to witness their open engagement with things Māori."