Members of the Institute of Professional Engineers Samoa (IPES) put away their tools of trade for drivers, clubs and golf balls during the Father's Day public holiday for a great cause.

The event was a golf tournament at the Royal Samoa Country Club at Fagali'i to raise funds to support Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) students at the National University of Samoa, as well as for vocational scholarships to support services to the field, such as the Don Bosco, Laumua o Punaoa Technical Center. 

More than 34 teams took part raising more than $50,000, for which President of the Institute, Futialo Tafeamaalii Philip Kerslake and the Chairman of the Fundraising Committee, Tuiaopo Andrew Ah Liki, expressed gratitude. 

 Treasurer of the Fundraising committee, Lealaivailu'u Hillary Tanielu, said they were extremely pleased with the turn out.

"We give scholarships to NUS STEM students, and recently, we added other schools that provide trainings for plumbing, carpentry and so forth. So Don Bosco and other schools that provide vocational trainings are now part of the scholarship scheme," she said. 

Lealaivailu'u said they hope the fundraiser will continue for years to develop the engineering profession and related artisans in Samoa. 

"Our main sponsors were SWIRE Shipping Ltd, Bluebird Hardware and Lumber, Taumeasina Island Resort, Maua App, Kofe Haus, but there were several other companies who gave donations and will be acknowledged soon via the Samoa Observer," she said. 

" We also want to recognise the contribution of the Fagalii Golf course and in especially the Royal Samoa Country Club for their continuous support of the IPES."

Lealaivailu'u said IPES values the future of students in Samoa.

" The whole event was organised by the Fundraising committee, and they are committed to continuing this important venture through the years," she said. 

IPES has more than 200 members and growing.