Commander Satisi Vunipola

Seven officers of the Tonga Defence Services have successfully completed post-graduate studies from various Universities. 

TDS Information Unit stated today that five of the officers studied in Australia, funded by the Defence Cooperation Program between Tonga and Australia.

Graduates included Commander Satisi Vunipola who completed a Master of Arts (Strategic Studies) from Deakin University. His graduation will be held in April 2013. 

Commander Sione Ulakai completed his Master of Maritime Policy from the University of Wollongong in November last year while Major Carl Tu'ivai completed a Master of Engineering Management from the same university.

Lt Commander Heiss Fonohema has completed a Diploma of Maritime Engineering (Watchkeeper) and an Advanced Diploma of Marine Engineering (Chief Engineer) from the University of Tasmania. 

Captain Faha'ivalu Fotu completed a Master of Professional Accounting from the University of Canberra.

At the same time Captain Siaosi Lepa Veikune will graduate with a Master of Business Administration from the University of the South Pacific Tonga campus in May this year. The program was funded by the UK Government.

Lt Commander Taniela Tuita participated in a Research Fellow Program at the International Tribunal for the Law of the Seas in Hamburg funded by the Nippon Foundation of Japan.