By Tupou Vaipulu Jr
Over 200 university students graduated, in the presence of King Tupou VI, at the first graduation ceremony to be held by the Tonga National University (TNU) today, 4 December 2024. More students will graduate tomorrow and on Friday.
King Tupou VI, is the first Chancellor of the Tonga National University.
The graduation ceremony, held at the new Tonga High School Stadium in Nuku’alofa, Tongatapu.
Tonga National University was launched on 20 January 2023 by the Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala and the graduation marks the end of it second year in operation
In 2023, five out of six government-operated higher education institutions, including TIHE, Fokololo-e-Hau, the Queen Sālote Nursing School and two others, were merged to create what is now known as Tonga National University.
TNU now has four faculties, including the Faculty of Science & Technology, Faculty of Education, Arts & Humanities, Faculty of Nursing and Health Sciences and the Faculty of Business and Public Administration.
The graduation will continue on Thursday and Friday.
The King was joined by Prime Minister Hon Hu’akavameiliku and Vice Chancellor, Dr Tangikina Steen in awarding the graduates their certificates and degrees.
