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Pacific Press Release – Pacific Media Watch
TONGAN ACADEMIC DR FUTA HELU, FOUNDER OF ‘ATENISI INSTITUTE, DIES AGED 75
NUKU’ALOFA (Radio NZ International/Pacific Media Watch): Tongan academic Dr Futa Helu, founder of the ‘Atenisi Institute, died last night, Radio NZ International reports.
The 75-year-old philosopher had been ill for a number of years.
The institute, which opened in 1966, initially provided night classes for public servants, but it became a secondary school and later a university.
Dr Helu was also a critic of the semi-feudal society which had developed in Tonga, as our correspondent, Mateni Tapueluelu, reports:
“He is seen as someone of academic background who is incomparable in Tonga. He knows classic history and he has been able to provide a philosophical and sociological justification for democracy in Tonga.”
Source: 6645 Pacific Media Watch
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