Three Tongan students were recognised as high achievers among the Australia Awards Pacific Scholarships students at the University of the South Pacific in Suva this month.

Kalolaine Tatafu and Grace Taufalele who are pursuing Bachelor of Education degrees, and Mona Taumoefolau, studying for a Bachelor of Commerce, received the awards among other high achievers from Vanuatu, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu.

A total of 234 AAPS students are enrolled at  USP this semester.

Mr Iresh Lal, Development Manager said during a welcome meeting for AAPS students on 9 March 22 that being selected as one of 10 recipients of AAPS scholarship awards was an inspiring story in itself.

“The support from Australia is a reflection of their commitment towards the Pacific region in terms of enhancing the levels of literacy and assisting in higher education for not only Fiji but the whole of the Pacific region.”

Gordon Burns, DFAT Counsellor Regional Health, Education and Gender who gave the awards, said the education at USP would help them to make a significant difference to their countries and region.

Since 1990, Australia has awarded around 3,000 students from across 15 countries in the Pacific.