Rite of Passage: Essays to Provoke Thought

This book has been assembled to generate debate, encourage discussion on teaching and learning, and awaken intellectual curiosity. Rite of Passage invites readers to voice their opinions on pivotal social, educational, and cultural issues. In particular, the section Provoking Thought challenges conventional ways of thinking about life and explores themes that are seldom discussed publicly. These include perceptions of happiness, reflections on life and death, coping with grief, and navigating personal relationships and heartbreak. The memoirs range from experiences of pursuing a doctoral degree in Australia to encounters with Fijian-Australasian writer Emeritus Professor Satendra Nandan and reflections on standing up to bullying in academia. Several essays recommend books and ideas that national leaders should engage with, including the works of Fiji's former Vice-President Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi. Other writings examine how the Fijian diaspora can contribute to building school libraries, lessons from the lives of Princess Diana and Professor Cliff Benson, and the importance of preserving Fiji's linguistic diversity and Girmit heritage. The collection also reflects on the responsibilities of academics in contemporary society. Essays such as Stepping into Academia contribute to ongoing discussions about higher education standards and academic culture in Fiji. Collectively, the memoirs and speeches trace the milestones required to establish credibility as a scholar across Fiji and Australia. Ultimately, Rite of Passage calls upon readers, writers, academics, and policymakers to engage critically with the pressing issues of our time and to continue meaningful dialogue from their own perspectives.