ʻATENISI INSTITUTE

Atenisi’s Board of Directors has invited the Helu family to once again guide the Institute. Following the retirement of legendary founder, Prof ‘I Futa Helu, the Institute had been led by ‘Ilaisaane Sisi’uno Helu from 2007 through mid-2019.

The Institute’s current President, Firitia Velt, recently resigned and a representative of the Helu family, Siniva ‘Atolomake Helu, was elected to replace him.

Following her appointment, ‘Atolomake credited the Velt administration for expanding ‘Atenisi’s global academic connections, particularly with Northern Illinois University in the U.S., which has awarded postgraduate degrees to two ‘Atenisi graduates, each enabled by a generous fellowship. The Institute has additionally teamed with the University of Fiji to launch the Western Pacific Association of Universities, which plans to jointly initiate key academic projects in the region.

‘Atolomake indicated that the Institute’s focus in the coming years will be a “community-based campaign to increase university enrolment” and an expanded scope for the Institute’s Performing Arts Division.