Honiara, Solomon Islands — His Majesty King Tupou VI of Tonga, who also serves as Chancellor of The University of the South Pacific (USP), has arrived in the Solomon Islands ahead of this week’s USP Graduation Ceremony in Honiara.
The King’s arrival marks a significant moment for the regional university, as it continues to celebrate academic achievement and unity across the Pacific.
His Majesty was welcomed at Honiara International Airport with a traditional cultural performance by Tafivaka, a dance group from Tikopia — a Polynesian island in the Temotu Province of Solomon Islands.
As Chancellor, King Tupou VI’s presence underscores USP’s role as a unifying institution for the Pacific region, bringing together students, families, and communities to celebrate education in a distinctly Pacific way.
The graduation ceremony is expected to draw attendees from across the region, highlighting the university’s reach and the importance of higher education in fostering regional development and cooperation.
Earlier this month, His Majesty King Tupou VI of Tonga was in Fiji for his formal appointment as Chancellor of the University of the South Pacific (USP).
The University of the South Pacific (USP) is a premier intergovernmental public research university serving 12 island nations across Oceania.
Established in 1968, USP is jointly owned by its member countries, including Tonga, and stands as a unique regional institution committed to delivering high-quality tertiary education and conducting research tailored to the specific needs of the Pacific region.
His Majesty is in Honiara for events at the University of the South Pacific (USP) campus in that country, located at King George VI in Honiara.
The campus was officially opened in October 2024.
