Students from two Tongan universities are representing the Kingdom at a regional competition aimed at developing practical solutions to improve digital inclusion and online safety across the Pacific.

Teams from Tonga National University (TNU) and Christ’s University in Pacific (CUP) are among participants in the Bridge the Gap: Pacific Digital Inclusion & Safety Challenge 2026, being held in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, from 22 to 24 July.

Only six universities from across the South Pacific were selected for the event, bringing together students from Tonga, Fiji, Samoa and Papua New Guinea to collaborate and compete in a 48-hour innovation challenge. The programme focuses on designing solutions that address digital inclusion, cybersecurity, online safety and digital financial access for Pacific communities.

The challenge is convened by the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) Centre for Cyber Security Research and Innovation in partnership with Pacific Cyber Week, with support from the Australian Government through Australian Aid.

Organisers say the initiative encourages students to develop practical, community-focused ideas while strengthening regional collaboration on digital issues.

The competition forms part of a broader programme of regional digital events taking place in Port Moresby this week, including the Digital Transformation Summit and Pacific Cyber Week, which have brought together government leaders, industry experts, development partners and young innovators from across the Pacific.

Discussions have centred on strengthening cyber resilience, improving connectivity and ensuring digital services are accessible and secure for Pacific communities.

For Tonga, participation offers students an opportunity to showcase local innovation while building regional networks and contributing to solutions for shared digital challenges facing Pacific island nations.