Graduates prove age is no barrier to learning

One hundred and thirteen (113) graduates walked across the stage to receive their certificates in the Cook Islands Tertiary Training Institute graduation at the National Auditorium on Friday.

Learning
never stops, continue to equip and educate yourself, says Cook Islands Rugby
Union development manager Ben Koteka.

Koteka
was one of the 113 students who graduated from the Cook Islands Tertiary
Training Institute (CITTI) yesterday after completing their accredited
qualifications in various areas of business, hospitality and trade.

Graduates
were from Rarotonga, Aitutaki, Mangaia, Atiu and Mauke including foreign
workers based here.

All
qualifications are accredited by New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA).

Koteka
graduated with Leadership Level 5, which took him 18 months to complete, and
Building/Construction Level 3 course from early this year.

Ben Koteka and mum Tutu Koteka at the CITTI graduation. 22112546

The
57-year-old said he took up the construction course because he wanted to
formally learn how to build properly.

“It’s
finally here, guess it’s like anything but we have now been empowered and it’s
up to us to empower others and share what we have learnt.”

Koteka
said God wants people to not just have a long life but a full life.

“We
learn something new every day. This week I am working with the Black Fern girls
and just learning heaps.”

His
advice to others is to take advantage of the opportunity to study at the Cook
Islands Tertiary Training Institute.

Bank
of the South Pacific Cook Islands staff, Tahiti Isaaka, who also graduated
yesterday, said she was overwhelmed and happy she completed her one year of
study.

Tahiti Isaaka (middle) with her mum Tokorua Isaac carrying baby Moana and sister (right) Maria after her graduation. 22112548

She
advises young Cook Islanders to join CITTI, especially if they have not
completed their tertiary education.

Cook
Islands Tertiary Training Institute coordinator Ovaia Liew said outer island
courses were successful through online learning.

Liew
said they only visited the outer islands for practical classes.

She
said the idea behind the courses offered by the Institute “is that age is no
limit, you can learn anything, enhance your career, knowledge and pathways
through CITTI”.

Tuaine Atera with her New Zealand Certificate in Business. 22112539

Reiterating
the CITTI director’s message, Liew said: “We are an inclusive learning
environment, if people feel it’s not for them, we will do our best to get them
through.”

Minister
for Education Vaine (Mac) Mokoroa hailed the graduates, saying given their age,
they did exactly what Winston Churchill said – “never give up”.

Mokoroa
also acknowledged the graduates for willing to study through the CITTI and New
Zealand course providers.
He urged the graduates to stay back in Cook Islands and make use of their learnings.