At the 12th Combined Awards Ceremony for Tonga's Institute of Higher Education, 100 graduates received their certificates and diplomas from HRH Princess Siu'ilikutapu Kalaniuvalu Fotofili, on Thursday, December 4, including the first graduates of Tonga's new journalism training program.

Eight working journalists were the pilot students of the first Media and Journalism Certificate offered by Tonga's Institute of Higher Education (TIHE).

Although 20 journalists started the 18 months part-time program more than half dropped-out. The eight who successfully persevered and graduated were: Linny Folau from Matangi Tonga Online; Tevita Motulalo, the Deputy Editor and Political Reporter for the Talaki newspaper; Folauhola Siale, Editor for Talaki; Telesia Adams Senior Reporter for Taimi 'o Tonga newspaper; and four reporters for Radio and Television Tonga News - Rhonda Joyce Moala, Emma Jane Vea, Fatai Fainga'a and 'Anau Fonokalafi.

The Deputy Director for Post Secondary and Higher Education, Tu'ifua Takapautolo said the journalism programme was offered for the first time in 2007 in response to a request from the industry, and the graduates aimed to continue the program to complete a Diploma in Journalism by the end of 2009.

Higher Education

Also from Tonga's Institute of Higher Education (TIHE), 14 students graduated with a Certificate in Computer Science, 23 with a Certificate in Accounting, 21 with a Certificate in Information Technology/Systems.

At the diploma level, 12 graduated in Information Technology/Systems, five in Computer Science and 17 graduated with a Diploma in Accounting. Studying for a Certificate takes one year and a diploma takes two years on full time basis.

Tu'ifua told the gathering that the TIHE offers studies in the Certificate and Diploma level in the areas of Accounting, Information Technology/Systems, Computer Science and the Media & Journalism coursethat was introduced in 2007.

Tu'ifua said that graduates are able to find a job in their respective fields with some continung on overseas at the University of the South Pacific, or in New Zealand or Australia to study for their first degree.

She added a lot of those who graduated in the field of Accounting were currently working and once they graduated, they were guaranteed a raise in their pay as their posts were reclassified and they moved up the ladder.

"It is the same with those in the other fields. Most of our graduates in the IT area are currently working and those not yet employed are quickly snatched up once they have graduated," said Tu'ifua.

Teachers

The graduation ceremony was held together with the Teachers Training College graduation at the Queen Salote Memorial Hall.

Ninety-eight teachers graduated with their diplomas including the Diploma in Secondary and Primary Education, the Graduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning and the Certificate in Early Childhood Education.

Tuifu'a said that six students were working by long distance with overseas education providers to complete a Bachelor of Commerce by 2009.

"At TIHE we are trying to train quality professional teachers," said Tuifua.

See also:

Tonga High School Graduation [2]. Photo News 3 Dec 2008.

Queen Salote College and 'Api Fo'ou Graduations [3]. Photo News 29 Nov 2008.