Our university partner, the University of Sunshine Coast (USC), has a special gift for royals visiting the Pacific island of Tonga.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan, were presented two pieces of mabé pearls by the Prime Minister of Tonga. According to USC News, Max Wingfield and Sophie Gordon from the USC’s Tropical Aquaculture Research group had been researching into “triple A” grade pearls.
The research is funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research as part of a broader project to help provide livelihood opportunities to people in Tonga, Fiji and Vietnam through the pearl industry.
Although pearl science is not offered by ATMC, we are still proud of the immense accomplishments by USC.
(ATMC CRICOS CODE: 03013D)