N.U.S. and U.C. rekindle their relationship

By Aruna Lolani 15 July 2017, 12:00AM

The National University of Samoa (N.U.S) and the University Of Canterbury (U.C.) in Christchurch,, New Zealand have signed an agreement to rekindle their relationship. 

This agreement was signed at the Fale Samoa at the National University of Samoa on Thursday last week. 

Tofilau Dr. Faguele Sualii, Dean of the Faculty of Education (F.O.E.) at the N.U.S elaborated on this agreement.

 “The main objective of this is to provide a framework of collaboration between the F.O.E. in our university and the U.C.,” he said. 

“That is the purpose of this gathering today; to bring back the relationship between the National University of Samoa and the University of Canterbury. 

“How it was back then, maybe 10 years back, we had an agreement where teachers from our university especially those who were in the Faculty of Education, got opportunities to study in the University of Canterbury as well as studying for the highest qualifications. But there was some changes made in that agreement and it brought our relationship to an end.

“But now it has been reinvigorated by the President of the National University of Samoa so that other recognized universities are able to help not only our teachers but our students as well, in terms of broadening their knowledge and skills to improve the quality of our education. 

That is what our country needs.”

Tofilau Dr. Faguele Sualii believes this relationship will help improve the standards of our education. 

“At the moment, the Faculty of Education is the first faculty that’s a part of this agreement because the help given is based on the same faculty in the University of Canterbury. But hopefully in the future, this help will be sharedwith all the other faculties so that they can get the same opportunities as well.  

“The National University of Samoa plans to work together with the University of Canterbury so that we can come up with ways to improve the quality of our education system; in terms of courses to study as well as opportunities to share ideas and experiences that can help us in teaching our students.

“Not only that, but also getting opportunities where our local students can study abroad and learn about courses that we have no knowledge of.

“That is the goal of N.U.S right now. It is to carry on and continue our relationship with the University of Canterbury to help out in our development.

“As you can see, we have just signed this agreement between the two universities so hopefully there will be opportunities soon for not only the teachers but also the students as well to go out of this country and into the University of Canterbury to study and learn so that they can come back and use that new knowledge in the development of Samoa.

“Thank you for making the National University as your brother and sister here in Samoa and we are looking forward to our collaborations in the near future.”

The Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University of Canterbury, Professor Gail Gillon said it’s a wonderful opportunity to rekindle the relationship between the two universities.

By Aruna Lolani 15 July 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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