UQSPIA CLASS OF 2015 ALUM
Krista Janine Jacob-Tatapu - Solomon Islander
Master of Environmental Management in Mining
"I served the Government of Solomon Islands for 9 years working at the Ministry of Mines and Energy before coming out to study at the University of Queensland. What prompted me to take up this course was the increase of interest in the mineral industry, the political influence which is pro mining – aimed at improving the economy of the country and most of all the impacts of mining on the natural environments of the islands.
My study at UQ has been directed at rehabilitation and revegetation of mined lands including managing mine waste, mine water management, environmental management, post mining land design, soil and growth medium management and the utilisation of tools for environmental assessment and analysis as well as environmental problem solving. This is no easy feat for me and the challenges were never ending.
What made my life at UQ worthwhile was the friendships made between students from the Oceania region through UQSPIA and other countries. Though culturally very diverse, the connection was made through the struggles of trying to complete assignments and meeting deadlines, where, somewhere in the middle of mayhem, we managed to gain insight to another’s culture and even had the opportunity to squeeze in lunches, outings, dinners or 5 minute laughing sessions.
On a serious note, I found that to get that perfect grade is a matter of hard work and a lot of commitment and time management. I know that we all have it in us to attain those perfect 7’s, so to all UQSPIA’s for 2016, do not shy away from Duhig and other libraries, and challenge yourself to beat your past and recent grades. You can do all things through Christ who gives you strength. God Bless."