Tonga’s ‘Atenisi University celebrated its 40^th anniversary 1975-2015 at its graduation ceremony held on Friday September 11, where it also farewelled three graduates who will take up scholarships in universities in Europe, Japan and USA.

‘Atenisi Director Sisi’uno Helu said she had returned from Australia to Tonga to help revive the school that had been struggling over the past five years, and she was grateful for the support of the Dean, Dr Michael Horowitz.

The educational institution that has no dependence on the government, business or church, was founded by her late father, Futa Helu, who devoted his life to a principle of academic freedom. She said that it is important to produce students “who can learn to think, question, criticize and analyse,” and promised that the school would continue to offer curriculum in the Arts, including music, painting, drama, film making, poetry and writing. They aimed to build an Arts Centre to showcase the arts and expand the learning area.

Sisi’uno, who was sent by her father to study classical piano and conducting in Australia, noted that scholarships that are pledged from overseas “are based on developmental studies but never in the development of music, arts or composition.”

However three ‘Atenisi graduates would this year take up private scholarships to study classical guitar, anthropology and Asian philosophy.

Salise Faiva’ilo, (BA 2015) will take up a tuition scholarship in classical guitar at the University of Warsaw in Poland. Tevita Manu’atu (BA 2013) will take up a postgraduate research in anthropology at Northern Illinois University in the USA. ‘Okusitino Ta (Assoc Arts 2014) will take up a tuition scholarship at the University of the Ryukus in Okinawa, Japan.

Four graduates received their degrees at the ceremony: Bachelor of Arts, Salisi Andrew Fifita Faiva’ilo (Dux 2015); Associates of Arts, ‘Okusitino Ta (Mafile’o), Samisoni Fonomanu Tu’i’ahai Tu’i’iafitu and ‘Aloko’ulu ‘Ulukivailoa.

The 'Atenisi Foundation Performing Arts presented Spanish guitar music by Salisi Faiva'ilo and a musical interlude "Ombra mai fu" sung by 'Atolomake Helu with Sisiuno on Piano.

Critical thinking

The keynote speaker, Hon. Dr ‘Aisake Eke, Minister of Finance and National Planning, speaking on the theme ‘Criticism and Democracy’, said he saw “critical thinking as essential for the progress of our people in our kingdom and for a strong and stable democracy.”

He said that traditional societies tended to discourage critical thinking. “The people are expected to follow the lead of those in authority and to do as they are told. So long as no one questions conditions, stability may result. But how does such a society adjust to cultural changes and meet changing conditions – migration, and climate change, to mention just a few?” he asked.

“Critical thinking is an essential tool to address such changes, but remember this is not about critical and destructive, this is about understanding, it’s about being fair and honest, having empathy and humility and knowing that we don’t know it all. A progress that is based on critical thinking is more rewarding,” he said.