Scholarship student, Pipiena Faupula, recently received a high achiever award while completing her Master in Commerce at the University of the South Pacific.

She was one of three students who received the high accolade under the Australia Awards Pacific Scholarship (AAPS) program.

At the event marking the special occasion, Programme Manager Australia Awards, Ms Lorissa Hazelman, said it was a pleasure to celebrate the end of a significant chapter in the lives of students.

She added that recipients of the Australian awards were selected for their scholarly potential demonstrated capacity to contribute to their communities and that as Australian awards alumni the students are now part of an engaged and influential global network of leaders, advocates and change-makers across the world.

Pipiena said that she was awarded the Australian Scholarship in 2013 for two years to read for a Postgraduate Diploma in Economics, which she completed last year, and Master of Commerce in Economics. Prior to studying, Pipiena worked for Tonga’s Ministry of Revenue and Customs. 

Overall, Pipiena says the journey was an interesting, enlightening and rewarding experience.

“I personally want to thank God, my parents and family who supported me all the way and my sponsors and the government of Tonga. I look forward to continuing to serve my country, Tonga, as we chart our way through the 21^st century global development.”