Dr. Bird Achieves Academic Goal

On International Women's Day, we celebrate the achievements of women who have broken barriers and paved the way for future generations, one of whom is Dr. Zina Bird of the Solomon Islands. Her story inspires us, showing the strength and wisdom that women demonstrate in all fields. We must continue to support and uplift women in their endeavors.

Education and training are crucial for providing women and girls with the opportunity to reach their full potential, and Dr. Zina Bird's experience is a testament to perseverance and the power of knowledge. Her story highlights the importance of ensuring women have access to quality education, thereby empowering them to make meaningful contributions to their communities and beyond. Pursuing a doctorate was, for her, a journey of self-discovery and advancement.

Dr. Bird's path to pursuing a doctorate was formed in her mind when she began her education in the Solomon Islands. It was a journey full of ups and downs, but in her words, the thought of giving up was "never in my dictionary." Last month, she had the opportunity to defend her thesis, entitled "The Impact of Climate Change on Local Household Crops: Implications for Household Food and Nutrition Security in Malaita, Solomon Islands," in front of family, friends, and colleagues.

"Pursuing a PhD has always been a long-term goal in my educational journey, although achieving it required immense perseverance," she said. "It took me some time to finally settle on my research topic, and during my master's research, I identified a gap, especially in the context of climate change, after which I decided on the research topic. While my master's research focused on Lae, Papua New Guinea, I wanted to conduct similar research in the Solomon Islands to benefit my community and understand how our local farmers are coping with climate change."

Her thesis defense was very successful, and her family was overjoyed and ready to call her and convey their congratulations. "I can say with great certainty that I made my parents incredibly proud, and when I heard their voices, I could feel the excitement they were experiencing," she shared. "It's a feeling that cannot be expressed in words; their love and pride for me is truly indescribable, unconditional, and profound." Dr. Bird also expressed her gratitude to her supervisors and co-supervisors, and believes that the newly established Center for Sustainable Futures will provide a good platform for students to improve their research skills.

For those students who are considering pursuing a higher degree, her advice is to "go for it." "Education has no end. A master's or doctoral degree is not just about getting a degree. It is a journey of intellectual development, but most importantly, through your research, serve in any way that benefits your country and region." As we celebrate International Women's Day this month, we recognize the power of education in opening up a world of possibilities for women, enabling them to rise, lead, and inspire everyone to make a difference. This highlights the need to continually invest in educational opportunities for women worldwide.