Distinguished Professor Steven Ratuva has added yet another first to his long list of accomplishments, becoming the University of Canterbury’s first Te Amorangi | Pro-Vice-Chancellor Pacific.
University of Canterbury (UC) Tumu Whakarae | Vice-Chancellor Professor Cheryl de la Rey has confirmed the appointment of Distinguished Professor Ratuva to UC’s Senior Leadership Team.
“It is an honour to have an outstanding scholar appointed to this new role, solidifying our commitment to increasing visibility and outcomes for our Pasifika students and staff,” Professor De la Rey says.
Distinguished Professor Ratuva’s appointment was made in alignment with the University’s Pasifika Strategy, which was endorsed by the UC Council in 2018.
The strategy aspires to ensure Pasifika students realise a strong sense of belonging and are supported to develop academic goals of success, with the richness of their cultural heritage enhanced, valued and nurtured.
In recent years, Distinguished Professor Ratuva’s work has been recognised with a UC Research Medal (2019) – the University’s highest honour – and the Royal Society of New Zealand-Te Apārangi’s Metge Medal (2020), the country’s highest award in social science research excellence.
Steven was the first Pacific person and foreign national to win both of the esteemed and highly contested awards. In 2021, he became the first Pacific person to be named a Distinguished Professor.
“It is gratifying to designate a Pacific representative of such calibre to the University’s Senior Leadership Team, and I look forward to working alongside Distinguished Professor Ratuva on the strategy for Pacific development, and its implementation.”
Distinguished Professor Ratuva’s appointment began Monday 20 February 2023.
