ORDER OF PROGRAMME

Thursday, 5 September, 2024

8:00 am

Morning Tea

9:00 am

Rev. Penisimani Tonga

Devotion and Opening Prayer

9:30 am

Professor Brian Cusack

(Auckland University of Technology)

“Distinguishing science from pseudo-science”

‘the use and misuse of scientific methods to inform public discourse’

10:30 am

Dr. Maketalena ‘Akau’ola-Aleamotu’a

(Tonga National University)

“Cellular, molecular and genetic analysis of the formation of a stress-related secondary cell wall structure in Brassica species”

11:00 am

Dr. Philippa Hammond

(CSIRO Agriculture and Food, Australia’s National Science Agency)

"CSIRO'S Pacific Agrifood futures initiative: How can we build resilience and sustainability in food systems?"

11:30 am

Professor Sina Greenwood

(University of Auckland)

“Brunnian links” 

12:15 pm

Lunch Break

1:30 pm

Professor David Hare (via Zoom)

(University of Melbourne)

“New drug development small molecules, human monoclonal antibodies, gene modification small-interfering RNAs, oligosense nucleotides”

2:00 pm

Dr. Sela Tapa’atoutai-Teisina

(Tonga National University)

“Kupesi Lilo-‘o e-To’onga (KLOT) model”

2:30 pm

Dr. Lauren Kark

(University of New South Wales)

“Biomedical engineering: Industry-university partnerships for the future”

3:00 pm

Afternoon Break

3:15 pm

3:30 pm

Mr Tu‘amelie Kemoe‘atu

(Christ’s University in Pacific)

“Secondary schools mathematics impact on post-secondary education: A stastical analysis on secondary national high-stake summative assessment of mathematics in Tonga (2017 – 2020)”

Dr. Chris Puli'uvea

(Auckland University of Technology)

"Link between variations in immune response and host genetics and how this may influence health outcomes for Polynesian people"

3:45 pm

Hon. Dr. Siale ‘Akau‘ola

Minister of Health

4:15 pm

Panel Discussion: “Inspiring the next generation of scientists, engineers and mathematicians”

Chairperson: Dr. Gladys Irene Fonua

Pro Vice-Chancellor of Academic Affairs

Christ’s University in Pacific

PANELISTS:

Hon. Dr. Siale ‘Akau‘ola, Professor Brian Cusack, Dr. Rita Henderson, and Dr. Robin Havea

4:45 pm

Closing Prayer