Director’s Welcome to Tupou Tertiary Institute (TTI)

It is my privilege to welcome you to Tupou Tertiary Institute (TTI). Our mission is to serve students, staff, and the wider community to the best of our abilities, providing education that is both academically sound and rooted in Christian values. From humble beginnings, TTI has grown into a vibrant and dynamic higher education institution, now serving over 500 students and supported by more than 50 dedicated staff. Our vision is to become Tonga’s leading provider of quality higher education.

TTI is part of the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga Education System, which seeks to nurture staff and students to be makers of the Kingdom of God on earth, shaping their lives through holistic education modelled on the values of Jesus Christ. This is reflected in our academic programmes, our community activities, and our ongoing commitment to serving others.

Expanding Academic Opportunities

TTI has evolved from a certificate and diploma provider into a degree-granting institution, proudly offering:

• Bachelor's in Applied Business
• Bachelor's in Education
• Bachelor's in Information Technology
• Graduate Diploma in Christian Education (Level 7)

We continue to build on earlier foundations such as the Diploma of Counseling Programme, which was introduced to address Tonga’s growing need for qualified counseling professionals, and the establishment of the School of Music — the first of its kind in Tonga — offering a Level 4 Certificate in Music and community music classes in string and brass instruments.

In direct response to Tonga’s changing social and demographic needs, TTI has also introduced a much in-demand programme in Aged Care, offering national qualifications in:

• Certificate Level 2 in Community Aged Care
• Certificate Level 3 in Aged Care

This programme represents TTI’s commitment to social responsibility and national priorities. With Tonga’s population experiencing increasing life expectancy and changing family structures, the need for trained aged care professionals has never been greater. These qualifications prepare caregivers with the quality, compassionate, and culturally sensitive care for our elderly. Importantly, they also align with Tonga’s health and social protection strategies, ensuring that TTI graduates are well-positioned to strengthen community resilience, support families, and contribute to the nation’s broader health system. At the same time, the programme creates new and sustainable career pathways for Tongan students, meeting workforce demands in both local and international contexts.

Our Level 4 Certificate Programmes in Business, Information Systems, Architectural Technology, Youth and Community Studies, and Teaching Studies provide vital academic foundations for students transitioning from secondary to tertiary education, equipping them with the skills and confidence to progress to higher levels.

TTI also offers Diploma Level 5 and Advanced Diploma Level 6 qualifications in Architectural Technology, an area that has experienced the largest growth in student numbers over the past three years. This strong growth reflects not only the increasing demand for skilled professionals in Tonga’s construction and design sectors but also the nation’s pressing need for expertise in infrastructure development, urban planning, and resilience against climate change and natural disasters. By preparing graduates with both technical skills and ethical grounding, TTI ensures that the Architectural Technology programme directly contributes to Tonga’s sustainable development priorities and workforce capacity building.

TTI also serves Tonga’s outer islands through the School of Trades, Pouono Campus in Vava’u, and the School of Agriculture, Hango Campus in ‘Eua. These campuses, which once operated independently under the Free Wesleyan Church Education system, are now strengthened and integrated under TTI’s academic leadership.

Additionally, the compulsory Character Development course, led by the Institute’s Chaplain, continues to enrich our students’ personal growth. This course focuses on positive self-awareness, workplace ethics, and Christian values, ensuring that TTI graduates are well-prepared for professional and community life.

Research and Training for the Nation

TTI is committed to developing a strong research culture through our Research & Training Centre, which supports quality applied research relevant to Tonga’s needs.

We are proud to partner with:

• Civil Society Forum of Tonga in the fight against deep-sea mining exploitations
• University of Otago (New Zealand)
• ABC International
• The Pacific Community (SPC)
• Ministry of Labour (Tonga)
• University of the South Pacific (USP)
• Balance of Power (Lowy Institute)

In addition, TTI is privileged to host the only American Space in Tonga. This hub provides access to a wide range of educational resources and materials, while also delivering training programmes for staff and students. Through these opportunities, the American Space strengthens TTI’s capacity to provide modern academic support, develop global competencies, and connect Tonga’s students with international knowledge and skills.

Together, these partnerships highlight TTI’s growing role as a knowledge hub, advancing research and collaboration that address critical social, educational, and environmental challenges in Tonga and across the Pacific.

Student Support and Community Engagement

At TTI, we recognise that student success requires strong support services. Our Learning Centre provides one-to-one tutoring and study skills workshops, with a focus on helping students bridge the gap from secondary to tertiary education.

We also take pride in hosting one of the few Public Libraries in Tonga within the Learning Centre. For a small annual fee, members of the community may join, while donations of books continue to expand the resources available to readers. Since 2014, our Junior Reading Programme, held every Saturday morning, has encouraged primary school-aged children to develop a love for reading. Supported by volunteer teachers from the United States, this initiative has seen consistent growth in participation and impact.

Our Commitment

As an organisation, Tupou Tertiary Institute is deeply committed to serving our students, staff, local communities, and international partners. We aim to support the holistic development of personal character, academic knowledge, and career pathways. Above all, TTI is dedicated to providing excellent higher education opportunities grounded in Christian values, preparing graduates who will contribute positively to Tonga and beyond.

We look forward to continuing this journey with you.