Tonga Meteorological Service pleased with the return of 7 graduates Featured
Top L-R Ms. Vaiola Vainikolo, Mr. Stitamipa Paea, Mr. Pesa Kuila, Mr. Siaosi Maeakafa Palu. Bottom L-R Mr. Taniela Takeifanga, Mr. Filipe Hingano, Mr. Laitia Fifita
16 November, 2018. The Meteorology Department of the Ministry of MEIDECC is being boosted by the return of seven graduates.
According to the Director of Meteorology, Mr. ‘Ofa Fa’anunu, the seven graduates include 4 new recruits and 3 returning staff. Fa’anunu said, “For a long time we have struggled to maintain 24/7 operations at Fua’amotu with the professional experience and competence required to carry out Meteorological Services.
This group of graduates includes 6 Meteorologists and 1 Computer Specialist. This group together with the existing staff at the Met Service will provide the human resource capacity we really need. Among the 7 graduates I am very delighted that we now have our first women Meteorologist, Ms. Vaiola Vainikolo and our Chief Meteorologist and Head of Forecasting Operations Mr. Laitia Fifita gains his Masters of Science qualification.
We have many plans on things to improve on at the Met Service so I am very happy that these bright young men and women are on board to make those plans happen.
Its all part of the Government’s plan to improve the services to the public for better production, improve safety and build our resilience to the negative impacts of climate”.
The Seven Graduates include:
Vaiola Vainikolo, Post Graduate Diploma in Meteorology (WMO Class 1 Meteorologist) from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology funded by the World Bank
Sitamipa Paea, Basic Information Package for Meteorologists (Aviation Forecaster) from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology funded by the European Union
Siaosi Maeakafa Palu, Post Graduate Diploma in Meteorology (WMO Class 1 Meteorologist) from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology funded by the Russian Federation
Pesa Kuila, Meteorologist Certificate (WMO Class 1 Meteorologist) from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) funded by the World Bank
Taniela Takeifanga, Meteorologist Certificate (WMO Class 1 Meteorologist) from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) funded by the World Meteorological Organisation
Filipe Hingano, B.Sc. Computer Science from the University of the South Pacific (USP) partially funded by the World Bank
Laitia Fifita, M.Sc in Meteorology from the University of Reading UK funded by the World Meteorological Organisation (Thesis: The influence of the Madden-Julian Oscillation on the Precipitation of Tonga)
The Ministry of MEIDECC acknowledges all the sponsors that contributed to these trainings.
-MEIDECC
