FIJIAN STUDENT’S SUCCESS

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27961, 7 May 1956, Page 15

FIJIAN STUDENT’S SUCCESS

HONOURS DEGREE IN ANTHROPOLOGY "The Press" Special Service AUCKLAND. May 6. The first Fijian with a master of arts degree with first-class honours was capped at the Auckland University College graduation ceremony. Mr Rusiate Raibosa Nayacakalou, who graduated in anthropology, joins two other Fijians with masters’ degrees. One of them graduated from Auckland in education last year, and the other is an Oxford graduate. Mi - Nayacakalou came to New Zealand in 1948 and graduated B.A. in economics in 1951. The next year he returned to Fiji and became clerk of the Fijian Affairs Board, the highest advisory authority on native affairs in Fiji. He returned to New Zealand in 1953 and studied anthropology, Stage 11. In 1954 he did a socio-economic survey of the Fijians before completing his M.A. in New Zealand. The thesis for which he was awarded first-class honours was an examination of changes in the economic organisation of Fijian village life as a result of its contact with European culture. Arrangements are being made for Mr Nayacakalou to go to the London School of Economics to study for a doctorate of philosophy in anthropology. If he succeeds he will be the first Fijian to receive the doctorate. Before going to London he will return for a few weeks to his little village of Draubuta, in Fiji, where the 150 villagers, including Mr Nayacakalou ’s father, who is more than 70. are greatly thrilled by his success.