The Tangi Mei Moana partnership between the University of Otago and the Tonga National University (TNU) is continuing to create opportunities for the next generation of Tongan and Pacific scientists.
The joint initiative between the two universities, reaches its two-year milestone this year.
Student researchers from TNU's School of Nursing and School of Agricultural Science appeared on a local radio program to talk about how the project has transformed their academic journeys, personal well-being, finances, and leadership skills.
The students, who serve as both research participants and scholarship recipients under TMM, credited the initiative for reshaping their university experiences and opening new career pathways.
The Project Principal Investigator Dr Losa Moata’ane said the partnership is focused on building the capacity and capability of Pacific researchers, ensuring local students are given the tools to succeed.
Dr Losa Moata’ane, a recipient of the Royal Society Te Apārangi Fellowship, also serves as the Pacific Waka Lead for Coastal People: Southern Skies, a National Centre of Research Excellence hosted at the University of Otago.
TNU representatives expressed gratitude to Dr Moata’ane for her leadership, noting that the project’s $200,000 funding has provided critical resources directly to the university and wider Tongan communities.
The TMM project continues to focus on growing the number of Pacific scientists and strengthening institutional ties between the two nations.
