TCAP scholarships update
06 Dec 2022
Lisepa Paeniu from Nukulaelae is completing a Masters of Environmental Law at the University of New South Wales, Australia.
06 December 2022 – Under Tuvalu’s National Strategy for Sustainable Development 2021-2030, “Te Kete” resilience to climate change and disasters are a key priority in the vision for a peaceful, resilient and prosperous nation. All citizens have a role to play – as Minister for Finance Hon. Seve Paeniu notes, “Together we have the capability to fulfil our potential and achieve the Tuvalu we want.”
Key to enabling all citizens and civil servants to contribute is education and capacity-building. Indeed, as Tuvalu’s policy on Training and Scholarships highlights, “The development of Tuvalu’s most valuable natural asset, the people who constitute its human resources…is of vital importance for the future development of the nation…Tertiary education not only improves Tuvalu's economic and social development by increasing the skill capacity of its workforce but that promotes self-reliance among its people by reducing dependence on foreign technical assistance.”
TCAP’s scholarships
One of the Tuvalu Coastal Adaptation Project (TCAP)’s three components is the strengthening of institutions, human resources, and awareness and knowledge for resilient coastal management. A key activity is long term national capacity-building – that is, equipping Tuvaluans with the technical expertise to advance adaptation into the future.
To this end, the project allocated funding towards a series of scholarships for students studying subjects related to coastal adaptation.
As of November 2022, five students are currently completing or about to commence their courses. In September 2022, Lisepa Paeniu went to Sydney’s University of New South Wales to pursue a Masters of Environmental Law. Charles Leepo is completing his Masters of Civil Engineering Degree via the Engineering Institute of Technology in Adelaide, while Feagaiga Penivao and Lamese Saamu will commence their Masters studies at Edith Cowan University in Perth and James Cook University respectively. Mr. Panama Niuatui, 36, from Vaitupu, will commence a Bachelor of Civil Engineering at the University of Southern Queensland in Australia in January next year.
In addition, a further five scholarships are being considered to be allocated to students already studying at the University of the South Pacific in Suva, Fiji (supported under the Ministry of Education’s scholarship programme). A Letter of Agreement between the Ministry of Education and UNDP is forthcoming.
Currently scholarship recipients will return to their current jobs. But once a planned National Coastal Authority Unit is set up, they will be absorbed into this unit.
This month, three TCAP scholarship recipients share their experience – what they have enjoyed, what they have learned, and their career aspirations when they finish studying.
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Mr. Feagaiga Penivao, 44, from Funafuti – currently a National Environment Safeguard Specialist for the Funafuti Water & Sanitation Project at Tuvalu’s Ministry of Finance – will shortly leave for Australia to complete a Masters of Science in Environmental Management at James Cook University.
What have you enjoyed about the experience of studying so far?
Being engaged in study creates an opportunity to enhance my knowledge in environmental science, especially in the field of coastal management.
It has been a great opportunity to discuss with other students how we apply technical methods to address environmental-related issues. The university has provided high-quality materials, especially during the [COVID-19] pandemic, which meant switching to an online mode of study. Lecturers have been quite professional and courteous in delivering their course in a timely way.
What interesting or surprising things have you learned about your chosen field of study and how do they apply to Tuvalu and/or Pacific Island countries more generally?
Innovative technology is the most interesting thing to learn in the field of environmental science, that is, tools to investigate environmental-related problems and how technology can help reduce impacts on livelihoods and the environment.
GIS (geographic information systems), for example, are a powerful tool that can be used to monitor the movement of sediments and other environmental conditions. This technology improves technical works in Tuvalu and provides better information for decision makers.
Learning about how the environment works gives an understanding of nature, and how nature responds to human development. This Masters programme supports the observation of climate change impacts, including sea level rise, on the coastal environment, which helps to improve strategies to address the issue.
What are your career aspirations when you complete your degree?
After I complete my degree, I’ll be confident to continue working as an Environmental and Social Safeguard Specialist for any given project in Tuvalu, including delivering improved environmental assessments and providing technical support to local communities and government institutions. The skills obtained will assist the Government of Tuvalu in improving infrastructure modelling that minimises risks and vulnerability of communities and the natural environment.
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Lisepa Paeniu 31, from Nukulaelae is completing a Masters of Environmental Law at the University of New South Wales, Australia. After completing her studies online in 2021, Lisepa is now studying on campus in Sydney.
What have you enjoyed about the experience of studying so far?
Learning various issues of Environmental Law in a comparative study between Tuvalu and Australia and the differences in approaches to derive sustainable solutions.
What interesting or surprising things have you learned about your chosen field of study and how do they apply to Tuvalu and/or Pacific island countries more generally?
Firstly, Australia has water shortage problems that far surpass those of Tuvalu but it is with the environmental engineering that they manage to resolve this – which is where Tuvalu is lagging behind.
Secondly, sustainable technology used to solve environmental problems is only as good as the human resource capacity we have to maintain and fix the equipment.
And thirdly, legislative reforms to address environmental problems should consider traditional environmental knowledge in order for resource management and conservation to be sustainable and Tuvalu has a lot to offer for the Pacific and world especially with regards to marine protected areas such as the different seasonal ban of certain fishing methods of extraction of certain species of fish.
What are your career aspirations when you complete your degree?
I hope to be able to provide sound legal advice to our Government for the benefit of our people and eventually the Pacific region to address environmental issues in a sustainable manner.
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Charles Leepo, 45, from Nui – currently an architect in the Design and Supervision Unit of the Public Works Department at Tuvalu’s Ministry of Public Utilities and Infrastructure – is completing a Masters of Civil Engineering (Coastal) at the Engineering Institute of Technology in Adelaide, Australia.
What have you enjoyed about the experience of studying so far?
So far I’ve enjoyed being introduced to new structural analysis software, learning about risk management in construction, and sharing ideas and experience with engineering students from Africa, Australia and Asia.
What interesting or surprising things have you learned about your chosen field of study and how do they apply to Tuvalu and/or Pacific island countries more generally?
Learning geotech structural analysis for designing substructures suitable for ground bearing condition.
Also learning advanced concrete with specific types of cement, aggregates, and other chemicals with the purpose of strengthening the concrete and increasing protection from salts and other chemical attacks.
Learning management system of forming large scale protect including the selection of suitable stakeholders and other objectives in order for the project success.
What I have learned helps prepare me to work as an engineer within the Tuvalu construction industries.
What are your career aspirations when you complete your degree?
I want to be an infrastructure consultant on national projects and be involved in coastal protection (for example, the design of seawalls, monitoring and maintenance).
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Contact
For more information, please contact Mr. Imran Khan, TCAP International Project Coordinator, imran.khan@undp.org, What’s App: +679 837 6960
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About the Tuvalu Coastal Adaptation Project
With US$36 million financing from the Green Climate Fund and US$2.9 million co-financing from the Government of Tuvalu, the 7-year Tuvalu Coastal Adaptation Project is contributing to strengthening the resilience of one of the world’s most vulnerable countries to climate change and sea-level rise. Implemented by the UN Development Programme in partnership with the Government, the project is improving coastal protection in key locations on the islands of Funafuti, Nanumea and Nanumaga. While new measures will act as a buffer during storms, the project also strives to build the capacity of national and island governments and local communities in adapting to climate change in the longer term. Learn more at TCAP.tv
About the United Nations Development Programme
UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. Learn more at undp.org
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