Publication
06 April 2026
A Review of Local Tertiary Education in Micronesia
By Maxi Grindley and Masato Abe
This paper investigates the provision of tertiary education within the five Micronesian countries, the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Nauru and Palau. It begins by briefly outlining the importance of tertiary education before documenting the historical development of education within Micronesia. It then outlines the current situation by reviewing each country’s tertiary education offerings, as well as their wider education systems. It also includes regional universities in this analysis. Finally, the possible methods of improvement are detailed to understand their respective advantages and disadvantages.
This paper investigates the provision of tertiary education within the five Micronesian countries, the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Nauru and Palau. It begins by briefly outlining the importance of tertiary education before documenting the historical development of education within Micronesia. It then outlines the current situation by reviewing each country’s tertiary education offerings, as well as their wider education systems. It also includes regional universities in this analysis. Finally, the possible methods of improvement are detailed to understand their respective advantages and disadvantages.
