THE Pacific Theological College (PTC) based at Veiuto Rd, Nasese has been renamed Pasifika Communities University (PCU).
Speaking at the renaming ceremony on Tuesday, chief guest Ro Teimumu Kepa said the shift in identity reflected the six decades of theological leadership, advocacy and education grounded on Pasifika values.
“PTC has delivered many educated church and national leaders and scholars in the Pacific. There are those who led their countries through to independence,” Ro Teimumu said.
“The churches educated, nurtured, moulded and gave the region and the world, men and women of character, statesmen, and states-women, not just politicians, to be mindful of the life and identity of our people and our islands. That is the purpose and character of the Pacific Theological College when it started in 1965 and the region, through that, was indeed blessed.”
Ro Teimumu , who is also an alumnus of the institution, said PCU had always strived to preserve the heart of the Pacifica people by offering a deeper, more holistic, balanced, inclusive communities-based forward-looking and discourse change in educational scholarship, that offers an authentic and visionary pathway to a new development paradigm that strengthens the Pacific region.
PCU vice-chancellor Manu Folau said the preparation for the transition from the old PTC to PCU began in 2019.
“Since 2019, we experienced the birth pangs of a mother ready to give birth when we went through a process of preparing everything for the child to enter this world.
“From our systems to structures, to a new curriculum, to capacity building, to finance and in particular, in preparing ourselves culturally and spiritually, to welcome a new child. As one of those who have been part of the birthing process, together with my team, it was not an easy process.”
Mr Folau said there were fears of incapacity to face the challenge and a lack of resources to ensure a safe transition, but “we were assured that faith operates around probabilities and opportunities rather than uncertainties”.
The college also celebrated its 60th Anniversary.
