On graduation day, Muli Tuanaki was surrounded by his family.

We are passionate about sharing inspiring stories of our students. And we are particularly proud of our successful Pasifika graduates. One of them is Muli Tuanaki. Of Tongan descent, Muli recently graduated with a Bachelor in Computing Science. His whole family attended the graduation ceremony in April and had every reason to celebrate.

The 26-year-old is currently working at Furnware in Hastings as Service Desk Analyst. “My qualification did help me a lot with getting my job,” he says. “And having an IT qualification or any qualification also future proofs your career.”

It takes a village to raise a child, so the saying goes, and having a big network of people supporting you, facilitates studying too. With the backing of his family, friends, partner, his EIT lecturers and fellow students Muli was able to fly through his studies.

As for now, Muli can enjoy the pay-off. Asked what he would recommend to other Pasifika people who want to take up tertiary education he says that it is very important to set goals and work towards achieving them.

“At the moment my plans are to gain experience in the industry. But who knows, I may also look into further studies in the future.”