The Tonga Public Service Commission has signed an agreement for a student-work placement programme with the Brigham Young University in Hawaii.
The agreement will allow Tongan students at the University to be placed in a relevant Tonga Government Ministry, where part of their course requires work placement.
The work placements will be for a period of up to nine months.
All expenses for the student’s air travel, insurance, and accommodation will be borne by the University programme.
A statement said the agreement will be at no cost to the Tonga Government.
There are more than 160 Tongan students currently enrolled at the University, studying a wide range of courses including Tourism, Marketing, Business and Information Technology
The agreement is the culmination of more than 16 months of discussions between the Public Service Commission and Brigham Young University.
During an official visit to Hawaii, Tonga’s Deputy Prime Minister Semisi Kioa Lafu Sika, was able to attend and sign the agreement at a ceremony held at the University’s Lāʻie campus.
University President Dr. John Bell, Vice-President for Academics, signed on behalf of the University.
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