Amson Meltekue, from Petere village, Malekula Island in Vanuatu, has an inspiring story of resilience and determination throughout his journey of pursuing higher education.
Meltekue grew up in a large family with eight siblings, with parents who instilled in their children the value of learning.
One of Meltekue’s fondest childhood memories is helping his parents in the fields during school holidays. “I can clearly recall the hard work of planting, weeding, and harvesting cocoa, which instilled in me the values of discipline and perseverance,” he shared.
“These early experiences shaped my determination to overcome the barriers I faced and pursue higher education as a means of creating a brighter future for my community and I.”
From an early age, he faced significant hurdles in accessing education, including walking six kilometres daily to attend Ecole Primaire de Womul. Meltekue then had to leave home and attend boarding schools to complete his secondary education.
In 2018, Meltekue began his academic journey at The University of the South Pacific (USP) in the Graduate Certificate in Education programme, majoring in Geography and History.
Meltekue’s choice to study Geography and History was driven by his personal interests and long-term career goals.
“At USP, I thrived in a culturally diverse environment, collaborating with peers and faculty from across the Pacific and beyond,” he said.
“One of my highlights of studying at USP was that we had the opportunity to collaborate and study in a culturally diverse environment. We also had the chance to explore the rich cultural heritage of our Pacific region.”
“When I received my programme completion letter, I was emotional, happy and grateful for the constant support of my family, friends, and mentors.”
“They deserved the recognition as they all played an influential role in helping me reach this milestone.”
Meltekue graduated in 2021. He then attained a Postgraduate Diploma in History in 2023.
He is currently a teacher at Central School in Port Vila and works part-time as a Teaching Assistant and History course tutor at USP’s Emalus Campus.
Meltekue is a strong advocate for tertiary education among Pacific youth, emphasising its role in unlocking better opportunities, personal growth, and community development.
“Investing in education can lead to transformative change, not only for individuals but also for the region as a whole,” he highlighted.
“Higher education is not just about getting a degree, but about learning new things, growing as a person, and building skills that will help you in your career and life.”
“Don’t be afraid to ask questions, seek help when you need it, and take advantage of opportunities to learn both inside and outside the classroom. Stay focused on your goals, but also enjoy the journey.”
