A total of 199 students graduated from the University of the South Pacific (USP) Tonga Campus on Saturday, with women accounting for nearly three-quarters of the graduating class.
The ceremony also marked a significant leadership milestone for the regional university, with Tuvalu’s Governor-General, Her Excellency Temukisa Auina Penehuro Hauma, formally installed as USP’s 34th Chancellor.
According to a USP statement issued on 17 October, 145 women were among the graduates, representing approximately 73 percent of the cohort, compared with 54 men.
The graduation ceremony was held at the Tonga High School Indoor Stadium, bringing together graduates, families, university representatives and supporters to celebrate their academic achievements.
The event was held under the theme Ko e Fua ʻo e Fononga, celebrating the achievements of graduates and recognising the contributions of families, communities and support networks throughout their educational journeys.
USP said the qualifications represented not only individual determination but also the collective support of parents, grandparents, siblings, churches and communities.
Graduates received qualifications across several academic disciplines, including accounting, finance, economics, education, law, social sciences, agriculture, environmental sciences, business, information technology and engineering.
The graduating cohort also included students from the university’s Pacific Technical and Further Education programmes.
Graduates strengthen disaster preparedness
Among the graduates was Kaloni Fono, a geography teacher at Haʻapai High School, who completed a postgraduate qualification in Climate Change.
Fono said her decision to pursue further studies was motivated by her commitment to improving climate change education among students in Haʻapai, one of Tonga’s most disaster-prone island groups.
“I chose to study Climate Change because of my work as a geography teacher. My goal is to equip my students with the knowledge and skills to understand, prepare for, and respond to natural disasters that affect our islands,” Fono said.
Her achievement highlighted the importance of equipping teachers with specialised knowledge to help communities understand climate-related risks and improve their preparedness for natural disasters.
Another graduate, Tonga Police officer Sosiua Cocker Filisonuʻu, completed a Certificate IV in Disaster Risk Management.
“Completing this programme has strengthened my ability to serve and protect our communities,” Filisonuʻu said.
“As a police officer, understanding disaster risk management allows me to better support people before, during, and after emergencies.”
USP said his achievement demonstrated the value of continuing professional education in strengthening Tonga’s disaster preparedness and improving the capacity of frontline emergency responders.
Ceremony celebrates collective achievement
The graduation ceremony featured cultural performances by the USP Choir and the Tonga Police Band, reflecting the university’s Pacific identity and the importance of cultural traditions in celebrating educational achievements.
USP emphasised that graduation was not solely an individual accomplishment but also reflected the sacrifices and encouragement of families and communities who supported students throughout their studies.
The Tonga ceremony was the final event in USP’s 2026 graduation season, concluding a series of graduation celebrations across the university’s member countries.