Anamaria Rogovakalali
Board Secretary, Fiji National Provident Fund, Suva, Fiji
Master of Laws with Merit
Her Master of Laws helped her gain a broader and deeper understanding of international trade laws and their impact on commercial transactions, says Anamaria Rogovakalali who came to AUT as an international student from Fiji, supported by a Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship.
“Before I left Fiji, I was working as a principal legal officer dealing with investment activities for the Fiji National Provident Fund in Suva, and was promoted to the role of board secretary before I came to New Zealand to study at AUT. I chose to study a Master of Laws because I could specialise in corporate and commercial law.
“The law courses I undertook as part of the Master of Laws really taught me a lot about the importance of legal research and the significant role this plays in making effective laws and policies across the globe. This is very relevant to the work I do back in Fiji, and I look forward to putting into practice the skills and knowledge I gained while studying at AUT.”
She wouldn’t hesitate to recommend studying at AUT to other students.
“Everyone at AUT is very friendly, from the lecturers to the lovely people serving coffees at the different cafés. Even the security guards made me feel safe when I had to burn the midnight oil on the South Campus. The ease of access to the different facilities was a big plus for me. As an international student, there was never a moment where I was made to feel like I was a foreigner. There is nothing not to like about this university.”
Finding her voice
Completing a Beyond AUT Award while she was at AUT helped her find her voice, Anamaria says.
“During my time as a student, it was a requirement for all Manaaki scholars to sign up for the Beyond AUT Award. The award has deeply changed me. I’m a quiet person but during church leadership activities for the Beyond AUT Award, I found my voice and realised that I could make decisions and speak up, and people will listen. It also helped me realise that you don’t need any special skills to help people; you just need kindness.”
She says it was an honour to take home the Beyond AUT Award overall achievement award in her last semester at AUT.
“It took a few days to sink in that I won the overall achievement award. I was so proud, and not just for myself, but for my friends and family as well because this wasn’t just my journey.”
Supported to thrive
Anamaria says throughout her time at AUT she never lacked support from her lecturers or other staff she encountered, but there are a few staff members who made a particular impact on her.
“George Kimani from the AUT Scholarship Office went above and beyond in helping me and my family from the time we arrived in New Zealand up until the time we left to return to Fiji.
“I’d also like to acknowledge the Employability and Careers team who supported me throughout my Beyond AUT Award journey. Special mention goes to Horowai Broederlow who always had time for the many questions I had. Dianna Bluck also helped me reach the final lap of the award. Despite having a lot of students to coach, she was so patient, and kept offering words of encouragement and kindness. She is the reason I was able to prepare myself so well for my final award interview.”
Her advice for other students is simple: don’t hesitate if you’re presented with the opportunity to do one of the AUT employability awards.
“Completing an employability award is something significant, and you're going to learn some key skills that you're definitely going to practise in real life.”
