More than 200 graduates, who included 161 women, were officially conferred their certificates, diplomas, and degrees during the University of the South Pacific graduation ceremony held at the Samoa Football Apia Park Complex on Friday.

The graduation was under the theme O le Taualuga, celebrating transformation, new beginnings, and the enduring power of Pacific regional unity.

The graduates received their certificates, diplomas, and degrees from USP Chancellor, His Majesty King Tupou VI, King of Tonga, during the ceremony held at the Samoa Football Apia Park Complex.

In his keynote address, the Pro-Chancellor and Chair of Council and Interim Management Group, Siosiua Utoikamanu, said the day was not simply about completion, but about convergence.

“Today is not simply about completion. It is about convergence. The convergence of families and communities. The convergence of sacrifice and opportunity. The convergence of past generations and future generations. And the convergence of learning, service, responsibility, and hope,” he said.

He said the taualuga reminds people that no meaningful journey is ever completed alone and that the strength of the Pacific comes from many hands, many gifts, and many forms of wisdom working together in harmony.

The Pro-Chancellor encouraged graduates to use their education to help their families, communities, nations, and the Blue Pacific region.

A total of 224 students graduated from the Samoa Campus, including 161 females and 63 males.

Among the graduates was Cherish Fialelei Reti, who graduated with a Bachelor of Arts. She said she was glad the journey was over and was now looking at contributing to health development and environmental work. She dedicated the achievement to her family and auntie for always showing support.

Mathew Gladson, a Bachelor of Commerce graduate from Solomon Islands, said he was very happy to be in Samoa and thanked his parents for always supporting him despite many challenges during his studies.

Another graduate, Charity Tuafateloa Ifopo, graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture Applied Science. Reflecting on her journey from 2022 to 2025, she described agriculture as science, innovation, food security, and the future of the islands.

She encouraged young women never to let anyone diminish their potential and said women belong in agriculture and science.

Charity also thanked her parents, siblings, families, friends, lecturers, and supervisors for supporting her throughout her journey. She said graduating was not the “last dance” but only the beginning as she continues postgraduate studies in Agriculture, majoring in Crop Science while working as a Research Assistant for the SAI Project.

The ceremony highlighted kinship, faith, learning, and service across the Pacific, reminding graduates that no one walks the stage alone.