Government of the Federated States of Micronesia

President Mori and Speaker Figir celebrate their Tritons heritage

Palikir, Pohnpei (FSM Information Services): March 19, 2012 - "Once a Triton, forever a Triton" and "Biba UOG!" were the slogans at the March 13 festivity at the bustling University of Guam as high caliber alumni, faculty members, administrators, benefactors, students and various community members as well as some off-island guests and friends of the university converged in celebration of its 60th year as an institution of higher learning, offering mainstream college education and a growing number of scholarly projects, community enrichment programs, and scientific studies in the region.

Among the ranks of prominent UOG alumni island "shapers and movers" who attended the celebration, highlighting its integral link with the island countries' socio-economic status, the FSM President, Manny Mori, and the Speaker of the FSM Congress, Isaac V. Figir, were featured and given time to address the multitude of officials and well-wishers witnessing the occasion.

In his brief remark, President Mori attested to the vital role the university has played as a premier university of choice for so many Micronesians who have confidence in its programs throughout the years. He thanked the University for being a "melting pot" in higher education in the region and expressed profound gratitude to the people of Guam for being supportive and accommodating to those from his country who have experienced UOG. The President also commented on how the University has immensely shaped Micronesian solidarity and island traditions that are nurtured and strengthened through relationship forged in schools and at the University.

"Imagine Micronesia without the University of Guam", Speaker Figir pondered and went on to point to a few of UOG's academic and scholarship services that mold many Micronesians and assist the region with issues and challenges: the Robert F. Kennedy Library, the Micronesian Area Research Center, the Marine Laboratory, the Agriculture Program and the Nursing School, among others. Speaker Figir presented to Dr. Robert Underwood, the President of the university, a copy of the Resolution adopted by the FSM Congress in recognition of UOG's well-deserved celebration.

Also attending the ceremony were all the Governors of the FSM States who came to attend the Micronesian Chief Executives' Summit on March 14-15.

Later the day, President Mori went to a scheduled meeting with the young FSM men and women who are attending UOG. Senator Joseph J. Urusemal and Governor Johnson Elimo of Chuuk State joined the President, addressing concerns directly relating to the decrease in scholarship amount throughout the FSM governments, prospects of employment at home, and FSM migration issues on Guam.

The student organizations also held separate meetings with their visiting Governors.

For more information, please contact the staff accompanying the President through the email: markapito@gmail.com.