Vision:
To provide a model of excellence in conducting internationally and locally driven educational research, grounded in deep respect and adherence to core Tongan values that inform evidence-based decision making within the Tonga National University.
Mission:
To provide a culturally appropriate plan which fosters and facilitates quality and timely educational research outcomes to inform current and future evidence-based policies and practices.
TNU Research Committee
The objectives of this Committee are to:
- Develop and set the research vision and agendas of the University.
- Oversee the academic development of higher degree research students as well as the research capacity of its staff.
- Undertake a stock take of all programs and their research skills matrix per year level.
- Identify and oversee the quality of research and research training in all academic disciplines, including potential risks and solutions;
- Receive reports on and consider the quality and effectiveness of research projects, research outputs, and research innovations;
- Oversee development and implementation of a research framework (refer to the Education Research Development Plan) to ensure quality is maintained in the University’s research agendas, programs and courses;
- Receive and consider reports on research integrity and research misconduct, including allegations of misconduct;
- Receive and consider reports from the Faculty’s Research Committees; including research and research training, related policies and procedures.
- Co-ordinate with Faculty’s Research Committee the organisation of any TNU’s International & National conferences, seminars and forums as well as TNU’s Public Lecture Series, known as the PōTatala Public Lecture Series.
Our Researchers
TNU welcomes early-career, mid-career and active researchers from amongst its staff to participate in the annual planned research activities, including professional staff development programs to build the research capacity of its staff, and to actively contribute to building a strong research foundation at TNU.
Further, Tongan academics from overseas are strongly encouraged to present their research work in the free public lecture series of the University, known as the PōTatala Public Lectures.
Here are some of past presenters in our PōTatala Public Lectures.
- Indigenous Intergenrational Relational Ryths: Sustaining Tongan language and Culture Across Time(tā) and Space(vā)
- Is scabies the primary cause of Rheutamic Heart Disease?
- Growing Resilience Pacific Scienctists
- Constitutional development and political argument: Tonga’s future architecture – Langa fakalakalaka fakakonisitutone moe alea fakapolitikale: koe alanga-fale ma’a Tonga ‘i he kaha’u.
- Education and Art: A Tongan Tā-Vā Time-Space Philosophical View.
- The Scientific Dialetic of Ancient Greece and the Cultural Tradition of Indo-European Speakers.
Publications & Outputs
The TNU Research Committee organizes the publication of the Tokoni Faiako Journal of Education. The journal was founded by King Tupou IV when he was the Minister for Education; a journal which aims at providing help for practicing teachers as well as student teachers at the then Teachers Training College (now the School of Education, TNU).
Copies of past journals can be obtained here.
