Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) Assistant Officer, Research & Statistics, Mr Garstang Bitauea has returned from USA after attending the Professional Fellows Program Oceania (PFP Oceania) at Arizona State from May 1-31 and Professional Fellows Congress June 5-9 at Washington DC. Mr Bitauea was amongst participants lows from Fiji, Marshall Islands, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Samoa, and FSM.
The program is a two-way, global exchange program designed to promote mutual understanding, enhance leadership and professional skills, as well as build lasting, sustainable partnerships between mid-level emerging leaders from the Pacific Islands and the United States.
The PFP Oceania Program ran from May 3-31 where, during which time, Mr Bitauea was placed at the Arizona State University for School of Communities Resources and Development to learn about Sustainable Tourism initiatives from Dr. Christine Buzinde. The TAK assistant officer also had the opportunity to connect with Research Manager from Research Division of Arizona Office of Tourism and CEO of Tourism Tempe to learn about Tourism Industry in Arizona State.
The fellowship concluded with a Professional Fellows Congress in Washington DC from 5-9 June. The Congress hosted fellows from more than 40 countries who engaged to enhance their network internationally with each other, reflect on U.S exchange fellowship and discusses common challenges and opportunities for international collaboration.
The Professional Fellows Program Oceania (PFP Oceania) was sponsored by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs’ and organized by Cultural Vistas a non-profit organization based in Washington DC. This fellowship program will be continuing to attract more young leaders from the Pacific Islands every year.
