Rate My Professor Telekalafi Likiliki

Telekalafi Likiliki is a dedicated student leader at the University of Otago, currently serving as the President of the University of Otago Pacific Islands Students' Association (UOPISA) in 2024. In this capacity, she has been instrumental in representing Pacific students across various university platforms, including monthly meetings with the Pacific Leadership Group, Otago Pacific Presidents' Standing Committee, meetings with Vice-Chancellor Helen Nicholson, and the University Senate. Likiliki has chaired UOPISA executive and general meetings, as well as Special General Meetings for member associations such as the Pacific Islands Health Professional Students’ Association and Otago Samoan Students’ Association. She serves as a voting ex-officio member of the Otago University Students' Association (OUSA) executive and has built collaborative relationships with Te Rōpū Māori, including planning joint events like an annual BBQ to connect Pacific and Māori students. Her leadership extends to promoting member associations during O-Week, maintaining social media engagement, and providing advisory support to Pacific students.

Likiliki is pursuing a Bachelor of Health Sciences degree at the University of Otago from 2020 to 2024, majoring in Pacific and Global Health with a minor in Pacific Islands Studies. Initially drawn to medicine to support Pacific communities' health needs, she changed paths in her third year after developing a passion for Pacific Health through a dedicated university paper in the Aotearoa New Zealand context. She has actively attended and supported numerous events, such as the Pacific Welcome, White Coat Ceremony for Pharmacy, Library Pacific Strategic Framework talanoa, welcomes for Science Students’ Pacific Islands’ Association, Otago Melanesian Islands Students’ Association, and scholarship celebrations at the Pacific Islands Centre. Additionally, she authored a column in Critic Te Ārohi titled 'OUSA Exec: Guide to Escaping Studentville,' sharing recommendations for scenic Dunedin locations to help students unwind. Her contributions were recognized in the University of Otago 2024 Annual Report, thanking her alongside other leaders for advancing Pacific student success.