Two Tongans who studied online to complete a Master’s Degree in Disaster Management, under a Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) program, received their certificates on November 24.

JICA’s Resident Representative, Mr Hiroaki Takashima presented the certificates to Mafoa Penisoni, an Assistant Geologist from the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and Tevita ‘Aho, a Civil Engineer from the Ministry of Infrastructure.

Mafoa’s study focused on Seismology, while Tevita focused on Flood Disaster.

The contents of their one-year programs were approved as a Masters Degree program by Japan's National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) in collaboration with the Building Research Institute (BRI), and the Public Works Research Institute (PWRI).

Mr Takashima said he sincerely hoped they would utilize their gained knowledge and experience to their future work and contribute to improving Tonga’s Disaster Management.

The study program was offered by JICA under their Knowledge Co-Creation Program (KCCP), where trainees study in Japan and are obliged to return home and apply it in their respective workplaces.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic travel restrictions, the trainees completed their courses online with laptops, a monthly allowance, and internet data provided by the JICA Tonga office.