The National Environment Service (NES) continues to invest in staff capacity to enhance environmental management and sustainability in the Cook Islands. As part of this commitment, Siana Whatarau, Senior Partnerships Coordinator, is the 3rd cohort of NES employees undertaking post-graduate studies through a partnership with the University of Newcastle, Australia.
Since January, Siana has been balancing full-time work at NES while studying remotely for a Graduate Certificate in Environmental Management and Sustainability. Now 70% through the first course, she is on track to complete the program within a year. Siana says, “I’m glad to be taking this step because while I have a science degree, I still have much to learn about effectively managing natural resources and ecosystems. And even in these early stages, this course has already given me tools to apply to my work. We recently learnt about applying Complex Adaptive Systems thinking to environmental issues.” This post-graduate study builds upon her existing qualifications in environmental science and marine biology, equipping her with enhanced skills to support NES’s work in environmental governance, project coordination, and partnerships.
Siana adds, “I am also grateful to the Ministry of Education for awarding me a partial scholarship to enrol in this course.” This post-graduate opportunity reflects governments commitment to developing skilled professionals who can address the country’s evolving environmental challenges. By investing in education and professional growth, NES ensures that staff have the expertise to drive meaningful change in the sector.
NES congratulates Siana on her progress and looks forward to seeing how this learning experience will contribute to the organization’s ongoing efforts to protect and enhance the natural environment of the Cook Islands.
