Adult education in the Pacific is in good hands with educators like Sarina Tamakin of Nauru.

Sarina Tamakin is a one-woman educational powerhouse. Not only is she Continuing and Community Education Manager at the University of the South Pacific's Nauru campus, she is also a part-time trainer for local and distance education courses. And that's not all. Sarina tutors part-time in further learning courses such as English for communication and study.

A graduate in Training and Assessment with the Australia-Pacific Technical College, Sarina feels that being a professional in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) puts her in a unique position to help others "There are not that many TVET professionals on Nauru," she says, "and I hope I can be a role model for others to aspire towards this career in the future. It is important work because it is about creating the leaders of tomorrow."

As an educator Sarina particularly likes working with adults. There is of course a self-evident distinction between teaching children and teaching adults, and Sarina has a clear idea of that difference. "I love the challenge that comes with working with adults," she says. "It's about learning to compromise, to make adjustments to accommodate the diverse needs of learners."

Sarina graduated Certificate IV in Training and Assessment with the Australia-Pacific Technical College in Nauru. She looks back on her time with the APTC with fondness. "I enjoyed making new friends, learning new knowledge and skills that were applicable to my current job," she replies. She continues her association with the APTC as President of the Nauru chapter of the APTC Alumni.

Sarina is now well established in her career but it is clear that she has plenty of opportunities ahead. "I would love to do further studies in the area of Training and Assessment and maybe become a full-time tertiary educator," she says.