National University of Samoa
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The National University of Samoa (''Lē Iunivesitē Aoao o Sāmoa'') is the only national
university A university () is an institution of higher (or tertiary) education and research which awards academic degrees in several academic disciplines. Universities typically offer both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. In the United States, t ...
in
Samoa Samoa, officially the Independent State of Samoa; sm, Sāmoa, and until 1997 known as Western Samoa, is a Polynesian island country consisting of two main islands (Savai'i and Upolu); two smaller, inhabited islands (Manono Island, Manono an ...
. Established in 1984 by an act of parliament, it is coeducational and provides certificate, diploma, and undergraduate degree programs, as well as technical and vocational training. About 2,000 students were enrolled in 2010 with an estimated 300 staff. It offers a wide range of programmes including Arts, Business and Entrepreneurship, Education, Science, Nursing, Engineering and Maritime Training. The Centre for Samoan Studies, established in the university for the teaching of the
Samoan language Samoan ( or ; ) is a Polynesian language spoken by Samoans of the Samoan Islands. Administratively, the islands are split between the sovereign country of Samoa and the United States territory of American Samoa. It is an official language, alon ...
and
culture Culture () is an umbrella term which encompasses the social behavior, institutions, and norms found in human societies, as well as the knowledge, beliefs, arts, laws, customs, capabilities, and habits of the individuals in these groups.Tyl ...
, offers undergraduate and graduate degrees as well as the world's first degree in Master of Samoan Studies. The National University of Samoa has the distinction of being one of two universities in Samoa. The second is the
University of the South Pacific The University of the South Pacific (USP) is a public university, public research university with locations spread throughout a dozen countries in Oceania. Established in 1968, the university is organised as an intergovernmental organisation and ...
-
Alafua Alafua is an Urban area, urban village in the Faleata District in the Samoan capital of Apia. Alafua had 1,347 residents according to the 2016 census. The village is home to the Samoan campus of the University of the South Pacific. It is also near ...
Campus which specializes in Agriculture. The campus was built in part with funding from the
Government of Japan The Government of Japan consists of legislative, executive and judiciary branches and is based on popular sovereignty. The Government runs under the framework established by the Constitution of Japan, adopted in 1947. It is a unitary state, c ...
. It is built around the largest Fale Samoa in the world.


History

The National University of Samoa was established in 1984 by an Act of parliament. Its first degree, the Bachelor of Education, was launched in 1987. A year later, the Bachelor of Arts degree was introduced. The first graduates in both programs were awarded their degrees in 1990. Soon after, the Faculty of Commerce and the Faculty of Science were established. The Samoan Health Department's School of Nursing was merged into the university in 1993 as the Faculty of Nursing, and the Western Samoa Teachers' College was merged during 1997 as the Faculty of Education. The Institute of Samoan Studies was established in 1999; its name was changed in 2005 to the Centre for Samoan Studies. In 2006, Samoa Polytechnic merged into the university as the Institute of Technology. In 2006 the University was merged with Samoa Polytechnic and its governing legislation was updated as the ''National University of Samoa Act 2006''.


Governance

The university is governed by a council, chaired by the pro-chancellor. The council consists of the Pro-Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, the Vice-Chancellor of the
University of the South Pacific The University of the South Pacific (USP) is a public university, public research university with locations spread throughout a dozen countries in Oceania. Established in 1968, the university is organised as an intergovernmental organisation and ...
, a member of the university Senate, staff and student representatives, up to six members appointed by the ''
O le Ao o le Malo The ''O le Ao o le Malo'' ( Samoan for "Head of State") is the head of state of Samoa. The position is described in Part III of the 1960 Samoan constitution. At the time the constitution was adopted, it was anticipated that future heads of st ...
'', and up to four additional members co-opted by the council. Council members hold office for between one and three years, and may be reappointed for a maximum of three terms. The titular head of the council is the
chancellor Chancellor ( la, cancellarius) is a title of various official positions in the governments of many nations. The original chancellors were the of Roman courts of justice—ushers, who sat at the or lattice work screens of a basilica or law cou ...
, who is appointed by the ''
O le Ao o le Malo The ''O le Ao o le Malo'' ( Samoan for "Head of State") is the head of state of Samoa. The position is described in Part III of the 1960 Samoan constitution. At the time the constitution was adopted, it was anticipated that future heads of st ...
'' for a five year term. The university's chief executive is the vice-chancellor, who is appointed by the council. In 2019 the vice-chancellor, Professor Fui Asofou So'o, was suspended by Cabinet pending an internal investigation. He resigned in June 2019, and was replaced by Aiono Alec Ekeroma. The following people have held the role of vice-chancellor: * Tauili'ili Uili Meredith (1985—1992) * Tauilalo Lanuimoana Palepoi (1992—1998) *
Magele Mauiliu Magele Magele Mauiliu Magele is a former Samoan politician and Cabinet Minister. He is a member of the Human Rights Protection Party. Magele is a former Vice Chancellor of the National University of Samoa. He was first elected to the ''Fono'' at the ...
(1998—2009) * Fui Asofou So'o (2009—2019) * Aiono Alec Ekeroma (2019—)


Faculties and courses

NUS's academic offerings include programs from eight faculties and schools:
Faculty of Arts



Faculty of Education

Faculty of Nursing and Health Science



School of Business & General Studies

School of Engineering

School of Maritime Training


Notable academics and staff

*
Aiono Fanaafi Le Tagaloa Aiono Fanaafi Le Tagaloa OM (25 June 1932 – 14 August 2014) was a chief ( ''matai''), scholar, historian and professor of Samoa. An authority on Samoan culture and language, she was one of the most educated female ''matai'' in the country wit ...
- Professor of Samoan Studies * Malama Meleisea - historian * Gatoloai Tili Afamasaga - educator * Maulolo Tavita Amosa - orator * Safua Akeli Amaama - Samoan Studies academic * Tuifuisa’a Patila Amosa - oceanographer


South Pacific Games

The university's
gym A gymnasium, also known as a gym, is an indoor location for athletics. The word is derived from the ancient Greek term " gymnasium". They are commonly found in athletic and fitness centres, and as activity and learning spaces in educational ins ...
nasium was used as a venue for the 2007 South Pacific Games and the accommodation areas were made available to the
New Caledonia ) , anthem = "" , image_map = New Caledonia on the globe (small islands magnified) (Polynesia centered).svg , map_alt = Location of New Caledonia , map_caption = Location of New Caledonia , mapsize = 290px , subdivision_type = Sovereign st ...
team.


References


Sources

* {{authority control National University of Samoa Buildings and structures in Apia Educational institutions established in 1984 1984 establishments in Samoa