Dr. FUNAKI Kaitu'u 'i Pangai

Dr. Kaitu’u ‘i Pangai Funaki is a first batch graduate of Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU) with 10 years of professional experience in university administration and international marketing of Japanese higher education. He also holds an MBA in International Marketing and Business and a PhD degree in Asia Pacific Studies (Politics and International Relations) from APU. Dr. Funaki was born and raised in the Kingdom of Tonga, educated at Tonga High School, worked as a banker, and also won a regional private scholarship to represent the Pacific Islands in Japan, where he has resided since the year 2000. He is dedicating his life as a Steward guarding the Dignity of Oceania with the goal of rekindling this dignity through the transformation of self-perceptions. He is working to accomplish this objective by identifying how to articulate Oceania’s cultural value of reciprocity/generosity as an alternative model for enriching the world. With the participation of supporters, he continues his research on identifying how his new framework of Gross National Generosity (GNG) can contribute to solutions for the global challenges we face today.

Dr. Funaki also co-founded the university driven Tokyo based Emerging and Developing Economies Network (EDEN) Seminars in 2019. The focus  of EDEN is to rethink development paradigms, working with partners in Japan and worldwide to identify and present new solutions for current global challenges of poverty and inequality, conflict and violence, environmental collapse and cultural alienation—articulating new ideas through the lenses of scientific and technological innovation, sustainability and reciprocity. Dr. Funaki is also a board member and Research Director of The Royal Oceania Institute (ROI) based in the Kingdom of Tonga.

Education

Sep 2015 – Sep 2017 Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Asia Pacific Studies, Politics and International Relations. Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, Beppu, Japan

Research topic: "Official Development Assistance (ODA): Exploring Priority, Disbursement, Dependency and Leverage from the Perspectives of Three Pacific Island Countries (PICs)” 

April 2004– Sep 2005 Masters of Business Administration (MBA) Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, Beppu, Japan (APU), Major: International Business and Marketing. 

Thesis: The effects of nationalism on entrepreneurship 

Sep 2000 – Apr 2004 Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, Beppu, Japan

Thesis: Exporting of squash pumpkins from Tonga to Japan. 

Feb 1998 – Jun 1999 Diploma Computer Science (Programming), Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia

Jan 94 – Dec 94 Tonga National Form 7

Jan 88 – Dec 93 Tonga High School (Form 1 – 6)

Jan 82 - Dec 87 GPS Fua'amotu

Visiting Researcher

- De La Salle University (Philippines)

- University College London (UK)

- Center for Democracy Promotion, RCAPS (Japan)

Guest Lectures

- Cornell University (USA)

- De La Salle University (Philippines)

- Shizenkan University (Japan)

Conferences

- Australian Internal Affairs (Australia)

- Commonwealth Secretariat (UK)

- East West Center (USA)

- Sasakawa Peace Foundation (Japan)

Public Talks

- Parliament of Vanuatu (Vanuatu)

- Parliament of Tonga (Tonga)

- Oita Prefecture: various Human Rights Councils (Japan)

Previous Professional Experience

Sep 2005 – Sep 2015 Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University: University Administrative Staff

- Academic Advisor, Active Learning & Study Abroad Coordinator

- Senior Admissions Counsellor - International Student Recruitment, Directly in charge of Europe, North Africa, Middle East, Oceania, India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Singapore, Malaysia, Bhutan, Mongolia. 

Jul 1999 – Sep 2000 Bank of Tonga (Later Westpac Bank of Tonga)

- Senior Computer Operator (Information System)

- Computer Training Officer (Human Resources Department)

Jun 1995 – Dec 1997 Bank of Tonga

- International Officer

- Computer Operator

Awards & Skills

- 2017 APU Most Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Award

Scholarships: 

Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU)

BBA: APU Special Merit Scholarship Type A

MBA: 100% Tuition Reduction

Ph.D.: 80% Tuition Reduction

Research Grant

2016 – 2017 FujiXerox Kobayashi Foundation

2017 – 2018 FujiXerox Kobayashi Foundation

Language Fluency: Tongan, English, Japanese