Nine scholarships were awarded to young students with a passion for science, on May 4, by Tonga Offshore Mining Limited (TOML), a subsidiary of The Metals Company, under its 2022 Scholarship Program in Tonga. Winners were presented with their certificates of merit by the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Lord Tu'i'afitu, and Ms Pele Pome'e.
The scholarship program is part of TOML's commitment to supporting educational initiatives and the next generation of leaders in Tonga.
Guest of Honour, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Lord Tu’i’afitu, presented certificates of merit to the four recipients of this year’s TOML-USP scholarship, at Davina House in Nuku'alofa. The scholarship supports students pursuing a three-year Bachelor’s degree at the University of the South Pacific, across a range of scientific fields. The Minister also presented certificates to five secondary school students whose studies are being supported by TOML in 2022.
For 2022, four TOML-USP scholarships were awarded to:
- Siutiti Fe’ao,
- Monalisa Hakaumotu,
- Lutolofi Taunisila, and
- Tu’amelie Fusimalohi.
In addition, five secondary school scholarships were awarded to:
- Leona Funganitao, Liahona High School,
- Falesia Mahe, Liahona High School,
- Ou-John Kamisese, Tonga High School,
- ‘Olivia Tu’i’onetoa, Tonga High School,
- Akesa Vaka’uta, Queen Salote College.
Education Program
In a week that marked the first anniversary of the sudden passing of TOML’s former Country Manager, Tina Pome’e, this year’s winners were presented with their certificates of merit by the Minister and Tina’s sister, Ms. Pele Pome’e, on behalf of her family. With a deep passion for Tonga’s youth and their development, Tina played a key role in the establishment of TOML’s education programs.
Speaking on behalf of all of this year’s winners, Mr Tu’amelie Fusimalohi, who is pursuing his Bachelor of Marine Science at USP, expressed his gratitude for the program and for providing Tonga’s youth with exciting opportunities to further their studies.
“Being selected for this scholarship has been a privilege for me and I have every intention to use this opportunity to work hard towards achieving my academic goals," he said.
Ou-John Kamisese on behalf of Form 5 Science Scholarship winners, also thanked TOML for this opportunity.
“It is a blessing to receive this scholarship. By awarding us these scholarships, you have assisted our families’ financial burdens, and gives us the strength to focus more on the important aspect of school, which is learning,” he said.
The ceremony was blessed with the presence of Rev. Penisimani Tonga, Pastor at Evangelism Ministries for Tonga. As words of spiritual encouragement, he quoted from Luke 5:4 : “When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.’ The message was for the winners to become fishers for Tonga.” The TOML 2022 Scholarship winners were blessed in a prayer by the Reverend.
TOML is committed to supporting six scholarships to USP on an annual basis by 2024.
- Posted by Tonga Offshore Mining Limited (TOML), a subsidiary of The Metals Company. To learn more about the scholarships TOML is supporting and to see some pictures from the ceremony, please visit our Facebook page: TOML – Tonga Offshore Mining Limited.
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