Over 200 students received certificates in a combined graduation ceremony for the Tonga Maritime Polytechnical Institute and Tonga Institute of Science and Technology, on November 19.

The Speaker of Parliament Lord Fakafanua awarded 62 TMPI Certificates in General Purpose Rating and Master/Engineer Class five.

A total of 160 TIST Trade Certificates were also awarded for fitting and machining, carpentry, automotive light vehicle, panel beating and spray-painting, electrical engineering and plumbing.

Lord Fakafanua congratulated the graduates for their achievements. He said this year CoViD-19 worldwide had forced more than 1 billion students out of school and for many countries, especially developing ones, many young students never again completed their education.

‘You are a privileged few.’ 

Graduates were watched on by proud families and friends, at the Falemasiva Hall, Tailulu College compound in Tofoa.

Both insitutes are operated by the Tonga government.