GAGIL, Yap, May 20, 2025 — The Honorable Vice President Aren B. Palik attended and delivered the keynote address at the 9th Joint Commencement Exercise of the College of Micronesia-FSM (COM-FSM) Yap Campus and the FSM Fisheries and Maritime Institute (FSM-FMI).

Acting Governor of Yap State, The Honorable Thomas G. Tun, opened the ceremony with welcoming remarks on behalf of the Yap State Government. He congratulated the graduates and extended best wishes for their future endeavors.

The theme of this year’s Joint Commencement Exercise, “Investing in Today’s Generation for a Better Tomorrow,” aligns with the Simina-Palik Administration’s commitment to advancing education as a foundation for national development and resilience.

“It conveys a universal truth about the responsibility of any society or nation to invest in its youth, who represent the true inheritance of the future,” declared Vice President Palik in his keynote address.

In acknowledging the graduates’ academic achievements, Vice President Palik also issued a challenge: just as their families, educators, and leaders have invested in their education, they too must now invest in the generations to come and contribute to the continued growth of the Nation.

The ceremony was held at the Yap State Sports Complex and celebrated a total of 29 graduates — 16 from COM-FSM Yap Campus and 13 from FSM-FMI. Ms. Lynnsey L. Pedro delivered remarks on behalf of the COM-FSM Yap Campus graduates, while Corps Commander Glenn W. Joseph represented the FSM-FMI graduates.

Accompanying the Vice President were Second Lady Adelita Palik and Special Assistant to the Vice President Ari Skilling. Distinguished guests included The Honorable Robson Romolow, Vice Speaker of the 23rd FSM Congress, and Mrs. Romolow, along with members of the Yap State Government and traditional leaders.

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