Key agreement for National University

By Deidre Fanene 19 July 2016, 12:00AM

The National University of Samoa (N.U.S) and the Institute of Research and the Development (I.R.D) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding.

The M.O.U was signed at the PACENET Plus Consortium meeting at Tanoa Hotel in Nadi Fiji recently. Speaking during a press conference last week, Vice Chancellor Professor Fui Asofou So’o elaborated on the M.O.U.

“The main objective of this Memorandum of Understanding is to provide a framework of cooperation between the I.R.D and N.U.S,” he said. 

“With the signed M.O.U, N.U.S and I.R.D agreed to consult each other on policy matters of mutual concern, exchange information on developments and current activities in relation to the environment, engage in student training and skills transfer, exchange of scientific and technical information, organization of seminars and conferences, the joint responses to international calls for tenders. Professor Fui went on to say the M.O.U provides N.U.S with much needed mentoring in key areas of research.

“The I.R.D is an internationally recognised research institution doing research in a vast range of areas including climate change, biodiversity conservation, waste management and pollution control, natural resource management, social human research and research innovation,” he said.

“There is the possibility of mentoring in the form of staff and student training and exchanges, joint research activities, sharing of resources.”

He also said that one of the key outcomes of the M.O.U is the possibility if the establishment of an Observatory centre at N.U.S.

“These observation centres can monitor climate change, coastal erosion as well as provide a platform for sharing interdisciplinary solutions involving both the Sciences and Social Sciences to meet societal challenges and mitigate risks which face small island states of the Pacific, as well as monitoring the preservation of traditions and culture,” he said. 

The M.O.U was signed by Professor Fui and the Head of I.R.D, Georges de Noni.

By Deidre Fanene 19 July 2016, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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