The Cook Islands Campus recently marked a historic milestone, commemorating 50 years of education, regional impact, and community leadership with a vibrant alumni celebration.
The golden jubilee event brought together graduates, leaders, students, and partners to honour half a century of learning that has shaped the social, cultural, and economic fabric of the Cook Islands. The evening featured an Alumni Award Ceremony, cultural performances, and the launch of a new “give back” initiative by the Cook Islands Students Association.
The programme highlighted the shared achievements of the campus community, reaffirming USP’s role as a cornerstone of tertiary education in the Pacific. This year’s Alumni Awards honoured graduates who have exemplified the values and attributes of a USP education and contributed meaningfully to the Cook Islands and beyond.
The ceremony recognised two categories:
Graduate of the Decade Award
Selected through online voting, these awards acknowledged distinguished alumni from each era of the campus’s 50-year journey. Winners included:
1975–1985: Vaine Wichman
1985–1995: Nanette Woonton
1995–2005: Myra Patai
2005–2015: Anne Herman
2015–2025: Chloe Wragg
Special Awards
Five distinguished alumni were acknowledged for representing key USP graduate attributes;
The event was graced by an address from the Cook Islands Minister of Education, Honourable Vaine “Mac” Mokoroa, who acknowledged the transformative role the campus has played in nurturing national development and regional talent.
“For 50 years, USP Cook Islands has been more than an institution, it has been a pathway to opportunity, resilience, and progress for our people. Our alumni are nation-builders, cultural carriers, and global contributors. As we celebrate this milestone, we also renew our commitment to ensuring that education remains accessible, relevant, and deeply rooted in Pacific values,” he said.
He also commended the strong alumni presence, noting that their leadership, across government, civil society, business, and culture, reflected the enduring impact of USP’s regional model. The celebration welcomed distinguished guests including Prime Minister Honourable Mark Brown and Pastor Tevai “Bobby” Matapo, former Chair of the USP Cook Islands Advisory Committee.
Prime Minister of the Cook Islands, Honorable Mark Brown, said studying at USP offers significant benefits, especially when compared to universities in New Zealand.
“Community integration, the ability to remain an active part of the community while pursuing studies as well as the strong emphasis on adult education, allowing those with young families or full-time employment to complete academic qualifications. Those are real benefits, not just to the individual but to the community and to the country,” Honourable Brown said.
Former Chair of the USP Cook Islands Advisory Committee, Pastor Tevai (Bobby) Matapo acknowledged the opportunities and benefits that USP offered.
“Education is important and having that opportunity to study in the Cook Islands is an important pathway for many interested learners,” he said.
A fire knife show, cultural dance items, and musical performances brought colour and energy to the evening, honouring the Cook Islands’ rich heritage and the cultural identity central to USP’s mission.
The USP Student Association (USPSA) executives, Ferdane Penahermoso and Jana Moemai, launched a new “give back” initiative designed to strengthen alumni engagement, expand student support, and foster community connections.
The programme aims to encourage alumni to contribute through mentorship, volunteering, professional guidance, and community service. The gathering brought together 81 attendees, representing alumni from the earliest cohorts to recent graduates. The turnout underscored the strong ties between USP Cook Islands and the community it serves ties that have grown stronger over five decades of shared achievements.
As USP Cook Islands celebrates its 50th anniversary, the event highlighted not only the accomplishments of its alumni but also the campus’s enduring legacy in shaping leaders, innovators, educators, and cultural ambassadors across the Pacific.
The milestone stands as a testament to USP’s commitment to regional unity, quality education, and the empowerment of Pacific peoples for generations to come.
