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Home > First registration of locally-owned university

First registration of locally-owned university [1]

Nuku'alofa, Tonga

Tuesday, October 16, 2018 - 18:13.  Updated on Tuesday, July 9, 2019 - 10:49.

Christ's University staff, Paula Latapu (Computer Science), Acting Chair of the Board Sangster Saulala, Minister for Education and Training Hon Penisimani Fifita, and Christ's University Director of Education, Dr Gladys Fonua, with the registration certificate, Nuku'alofa. 15 October 2018.

Christ’s University has become the first Tongan owned university to be registered by the Tonga National Qualification Accreditation Board (TNQAB) on Friday 12 October 2018.

The university, located in the Nuku’alofa CBD, is owned by the Tokaikolo Church, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year.

Minister of Education and Training Hon Penisimani Fifita, Chair of the TNQAB Board of Directors said, “This is a milestone for us and for the whole of Tonga. This is the first university to be registered by the board.”

Christ’s University Acting Board Chairman, Sangster Saulala, was pleased with the achievement but said it was “a great responsibility”.

“The government has done their part and it’s up to us to prove that we deserve this first registration.”

He added that it was the mission of King Tupou VI, as Chancellor of the university, to promote higher education to international standards, and “that’s what we’re starting to do”.

“There’s a lot of international investors that want to have a connection with us but they were all waiting for the registration,” he said.

George Maeakafa, Research Manager at the university said they had a variety of courses available and currently catered to around 50 students with the aim to accommodate around 200 students.

“We offer computer science (bachelor, masters, phd), education, theology, and business management.” He added that next year they wee looking at offering a law degree, LLM and LLB.

He also highlighted that by having the registration, the university would be able to provide Tongans, who are not able to study overseas, the chance to pursue higher academic studies locally.

“So, this is a chance for talented people who want to study hard to come through Christ’s University and get a degree here that is recognized.”

The university was founded by its Vice Chancellor, Dr Liufau Saulala, President of the Tokaikolo Church.

According to the TNQAB, once a university is registered, the courses they offer will then be accredited.

The locally owned tertiary academy of Atenisi Institute has been registered since 2011.

Minister for Education and Training, Hon Penisimani Fifita with Christ's University staff, Nuku'alofa. 15 October 2018.
Tonga National Qualification Accreditation Board (TNQAB) [2]
Tonga [3]
Christ's University [4]
Education [5]

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Source URL:https://matangitonga.to/2018/10/16/first-registration-locally-owned-university

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[1] https://matangitonga.to/2018/10/16/first-registration-locally-owned-university [2] https://matangitonga.to/tag/tonga-national-qualification-accreditation-board-tnqab?page=1 [3] https://matangitonga.to/tag/tonga?page=1 [4] https://matangitonga.to/tag/christs-university?page=1 [5] https://matangitonga.to/topic/education?page=1