The return of seven graduates, including Tonga's first woman Meteorologist, will boost the Meteorology Department, said ‘Ofa Fa’anunu, Tonga's Director of Meteorology.
Fa'anunu said today that for a long time they had struggled to maintain 24/7 operations at Fua’amotu weather centre with the professional experience and competence required to carry out Meteorological Services under MEIDECC.
He said the group included six Meteorologists and one Computer Specialist, and together with the existing staff at the Tonga Met Service will provide the human resource capacity they need.
“I am very delighted that we now have our first woman Meteorologist, Ms Vaiola Vainikolo and our Chief Meteorologist and Head of Forecasting Operations Mr Laitia Fifita returning with his Masters of Science qualification,” he said.
“We have many plans on things to improve on so I am very happy that these bright young men and women are on board to make those plans happen.”
He said this was all part of the Tongan Government’s plan to improve the services to the public for better production, improve safety and build resilience to the negative impacts of the climate. He thanked sponsors for contributing to the training.
The graduates, who include four new recruits and three returning staff are:
- Vaiola Vainikolo, Post Graduate Diploma in Meteorology (WMO Class 1 Meteorologist) from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology funded by the World Bank,
- Sitamipa Paea, Basic Information Package for Meteorologists (Aviation Forecaster) from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology funded by the European Union,
- Siaosi Maeakafa Palu, Post Graduate Diploma in Meteorology (WMO Class 1 Meteorologist) from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology funded by the Russian Federation,
- Pesa Kuila, Meteorologist Certificate (WMO Class 1 Meteorologist) from the Philippine Atmospheric; Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) funded by the World Bank,
- Taniela Takeifanga, Meteorologist Certificate (WMO Class 1 Meteorologist) from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) funded by the World Meteorological Organisation,
- Filipe Hingano, B.Sc. Computer Science from the University of the South Pacific (USP) partially funded by the World Bank, and
- Laitia Fifita, M.Sc in Meteorology from the University of Reading UK funded by the World Meteorological Organisation (Thesis: The influence of the Madden-Julian Oscillation on the Precipitation of Tonga).
