FNU’s Outreach Specialist Akini Seru Tabua

Meet Akini Seru Tabua, an Outreach Specialist at the Fiji National University (FNU) whose work is driven by a simple belief, that education can open doors and create opportunities, regardless of where a person comes from.

Hailing from Nausori Village in Nalawa, Ra, Akini is the eldest of four siblings and a former student of Tilak High School in Lautoka. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Public Administration and Tourism Management from The University of the South Pacific (USP) and is currently pursuing postgraduate studies in Entrepreneurship and Management at FNU.

Having been with FNU for over a year, Akini’s role takes him beyond the university campuses and into schools and communities, where he connects with students, listens to their aspirations and helps them understand the opportunities available through higher education.

“My role is to connect with students and communities, guide them, and help them access opportunities through education. What makes my work special is knowing that I can encourage and support someone toward a better future,” he said.

For Akini, outreach is more than simply sharing information about programmes and courses. It is about building connections and helping students see possibilities they may never have considered. “I’ve always loved working with people and being able to make a difference, even in small ways. Outreach gives me the opportunity to meet people, hear their stories, and encourage them to believe in what they can achieve,” he said.

The people behind the work

It is the people Akini meets that continue to make his work meaningful.

“I enjoy meeting students, hearing their dreams, and seeing their excitement when they realise that there are opportunities out there for them,” he said.

While outreach visits may appear straightforward, Akini said there is considerable work behind the scenes, from planning and coordinating visits to communicating with schools, communities and internal stakeholders.

“There is so much work and dedication that happens behind the scenes. From planning and coordinating visits to communicating with internal stakeholders, schools and communities, there are many little things that people don’t see,” he said.

For him, every successful outreach engagement is the result of teamwork and dedication.

A student he will never forget

FNU Outreach Specialist Akini Seru Tabua during an outreach engagement, connecting with students and communities and sharing pathways to higher education.

One experience, however, has particularly stayed with Akini.

During one of his outreach engagements, he met a student from a remote island in Ra who dreamed of pursuing a Bachelor of Laws.

The student did not have access to the internet and faced difficulty submitting the required documents.

Akini offered to help.

After helping the student through the application process, Akini later had the privilege of telling him that he had received an offer to study at FNU. “When I finally told him that he had received an offer, he became so emotional. Seeing how much that opportunity meant to him was a very special moment for me, and it reminded me why I truly value and love the work I do,” he said.

The experience reinforced for Akini that sometimes, a small act of assistance can have a lasting impact on someone’s future.

Learning from every community

Working with communities across Fiji has also shaped Akini’s understanding of people.

“I have learned that every person has a different story and a different journey,” he said.

The diversity of the students and communities he encounters has taught him the importance of listening, patience and encouragement.

“Never underestimate the power of a simple conversation or a little encouragement,” he said.

Akini acknowledges that outreach work can be challenging, particularly because every school, community and event has different needs.

Plans may change and unexpected situations can arise, but he has learned to remain patient, flexible and positive.

“At the end of the day, I remind myself why I do this work to connect with people and help create opportunities for them.”

Family remains his foundation

Beyond his professional life, Akini values the time he spends with the people closest to him.

He enjoys spending time with friends over a basin or travelling to his village to reconnect with his family.

For Akini, his family has always been a major source of inspiration.

As the eldest of four siblings, he has grown up with a strong sense of responsibility towards his younger siblings.

“Seeing my parents’ sacrifices and the support they’ve given us motivates me to work hard, keep growing, and be someone my younger siblings can look up to,” he said.

Dream big

Akini believes that young people should not allow their circumstances to determine the limits of their aspirations.

“Believe in yourself, and don’t be afraid to dream big,” he said.

“Higher education can open doors that you may not even know exist, so take the opportunity, ask questions, and never let your circumstances stop you from trying.”

Looking ahead, Akini hopes to continue growing in his career, learning new things and reaching more students and communities through his work at FNU.

His goal is to help more young people recognise the opportunities available to them and realisethe transformative potential of education.

“I want to reach more students and communities and help them see that education can truly change the direction of their lives.”