UPDATE (11 July 2023) The following candidates have been selected:
| Rank | First Name | Surname | Gen. | Country | Country Class. |
| First Ranked Candidates | |||||
| 1 | Mahonilai | Hakaumotu | Male | Tonga | SIDS |
| 2 | Hazel | Oatasia | Female | Solomon Islands | LDC/SIDS |
| Reserve or Alternate Candidate | |||||
| R1 | Fatafehi’o Lapaha | Mafi | Female | Tonga | SIDS |
Issue Date: 17 March 2023
Tonga Offshore Mining Ltd. (TOML), in accordance with its exploration contract for polymetallic nodules signed with ISA on 22 July 2011, is offering two (2) undergraduate scholarships for candidates from developing States as part of its 2023 training programme.
ABOUT
The undergraduate degree programmes will be offered through the University of the South Pacific (USP), Laucala campus in Fiji. The scholarships are open to candidates seeking to pursue studies in the following fields: marine science/management, biology, environmental science/management, earth sciences, geosciences, geology, or engineering. Preference will be provided to those with an interest in polymetallic nodules, ocean sustainability and international law of the sea.
Semester 1 is set to commence in February 2024 and the trainee is expected to complete the undergraduate programme within the standard time frame of the degree of study (this can be 3 or 4 years depending on the programme).
COST BEARING
The scholarship will cover the direct costs required to complete an undergraduate programme at the USP’s Fiji campus.
These include:
• Tuition and related student services fees;
• Monthly living allowance and annual stipend for books;
• On-campus accommodations (some exceptions can be considered for off-campus, dependent on individual circumstances);
• Roundtrip economy class airfare, including once a year to recipient’s home country during the annual break;
• Reimbursement for visa support and travel insurance (if required);
• COVID-19 related costs if required (i.e. costs related to testing for travel or quarantine).
• Laptop
ELIGIBILITY
Candidates must meet the following requirements:
Education/Experience
• Indicate their preferred degree programme at USP and possess the requirements for acceptance to the preferred programme. Nb. To expedite the admission process, candidates are strongly encouraged to apply to USP prior to submitting their scholarship application or do so while their scholarship application is being reviewed. While this is not a requirement to receive the TOML scholarships, it would lessen the time needed to do the USP admission process if they are selected for a placement.
• Potential candidates are asked to carefully review USP’s application/admission requirements to ensure they are eligible: https://www.usp.ac.fj/sas/student-administrative-services/admission-information/online-application/.
• Demonstrate an interest in the seafloor minerals industry (preference will be provided to those with an interest in polymetallic nodules and ocean sustainability)
Language
• Demonstrate a sound knowledge of spoken and written English as required for USP’s admission.
Visa/Immigration
• In addition to holding a valid passport or being able to secure one, upon confirmed acceptance to USP and successful award of scholarship, candidates must also be able to secure a study permit visa for Fiji as well as other visas that may be required for transit to Fiji. Nb: While TOML will provide the necessary assistance to candidates (i.e. producing supporting documentation or engaging the services of an immigration professional to assist, as required) visas are ultimately not guaranteed. It should also be noted that TOML is not authorized to apply for visas directly on behalf of students.
• Students’ ability to travel to and legally reside and study in Fiji will be ultimately dependent on their ability to obtain visas. Candidates are responsible for ensuring that the relevant research and gathering/provision of visa documents is timely and accurate. Candidates will be responsible for liaising directly with the USP’s international office for relevant visa support. For more information about obtaining a Fiji study permit and how USP can assist, please refer to the following website: https://international.usp.ac.fj/old/visas-and-immigration/.
SCHOLARSHIP CONDITIONS
Selected candidates shall enter into a scholarship agreement with TOML, confirming the responsibilities and requirements of the trainee.
Candidates are therefore read and ensure they understand TOML’s Terms and Conditions outlined in the scholarship acknowledgement form which they will receive from TOML upon acceptance of the scholarship. The form stipulates what will be required of the trainee to accept and maintain the award. Conditions include, inter alia:
• Confirmed acceptance into USP.
• Studying full time and meeting all course requirements.
• Not changing enrolment without the prior written approval of TOML.
• Maintain an overall 3.0 GPA, passing and completing all courses.
• Complying with visa restrictions conditions outlined in the study visa of the host country of study.
• Accepting that the scholarship may be withdrawn by TOML in consultation with ISA for non-compliance with the conditions outlined in this Agreement and/or for any serious breaches resulting in removal/suspension from USP.
• Returning to the home country on completion of the scholarship.
• Abiding by and following all COVID-19 safety protocols as stipulated by the Government of Fiji and USP.
• Providing to the TOML a copy of the scholar’s academic transcript including the grades awarded in that Semester.
• At the end of each year the scholarship recipient will be required to submit a report to TOML and ISA outlining the courses completed, grades received, and a summary of the skills learned. Upon graduation, the scholarship recipient will be required to submit a short report to TOML and ISA.
HOW TO APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS:
All interested applicants are invited to register through the ISA online portal through which they will submit their applications together with the necessary requested documents including:
1. A copy of current passport photo and valid passport biopage;
2. Nomination Form (docx | pdf) duly signed by the nominating entity;
3. Proof of meeting USP academic and language requirements;
4. Copy of CV or Résumé;
5. A one-page statement of purpose demonstrating interest in the seafloor minerals industry and ocean sustainability (this could be from an environmental, engineering, or scientific perspective); and
6. Two recommendations letters.
Application Deadline: 23 June 2023. Late or incomplete applications will not be processed.
One of the Voluntary Commitments registered by ISA at the 2017 UN Ocean Conference (#OceanAction 40768). and reiterated in 2022 was ‘Enhancing the role of Women in Marine Scientific Research through Capacity Building’ – As partner of the Women in Deep-Sea Research project (WIDSR), TOML has pledged to allocate 50% of the training opportunities to qualified women applicants.
All queries concerning these two training programmes should be directed to training@isa.org.jm