Twenty Science Scholarships for Tongan students were awarded by the Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Siaosi Sovaleni on Tuesday, 10 January at the Kahana Lagoon Resort.

The Science Scholarships program is financed by the Asian Development Bank through a Climate Change Fund. The 20 recipients included 17 civil servants, two school leavers and one from a non-government organisation.

Langitoto Helu from the MEIDECC Ministry said that the science scholarships program aimed to train government civil servants who are first responders in times of natural disasters. "They need to be knowledgeable of Climate Change adaptation, resilience and disaster risk management.”

The scholars will study at the USP Tonga Campus for a an undergraduate degree, Bachelor of Science, majoring either in Environmental or Marine Science for three years.

“It will be the first time for the USP Tonga Campus to offer a full science program,” said Langitoto.

The ADB with its Climate Change Fund Science Scholarships program will also be offering post-graduate degree scholarships, short term training and courses to be completed within the next two years at various universities and institutions.

The new scholarship recipients are:

Siale Vailea (Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources)
'Amelia Sili (Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources)
Rinda M. Fulivai (Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources )
Viliami 'O. Fatongiatau (Ministry of Finance and National Planning)
Siaosi Vi (Ministry of Finance and National Planning)
Siaosi R. Fonua (Ministry of Finance and National Planning)
Makeleta Mahe (Ministry of Finance and National Planning)
Tonga L. Tu'iano (Ministry of Finance and National Planning)
Tino 'O. Taukolo (MEIDECC)
Moala Lutui  (Ministry of Health)
Sione M. Tupou (MEIDECC )
Kepueli T. Maile  (Tonga Meteorological Service)
Mumui K. La'akulu (Tonga Meteorological Service)
Vika T. Havea (Tonga Meteorological Service)
Nimilote Halatoafa (Tonga Meteorological Service)
Sosefo K. Loloa (Tonga Meteorological Service)
Othmarshcer Kaufusi (Tonga Meteorological Service)

Sitiveni S. Te'ekiu (Non Government)

Elenoa H. Maile (School Leaver)
Makeleta 'E. Malimali (School Leaver)