A 21-year-old Samoan has graduated from the Auckland University with a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering Degree with honours.

Manuia Le'Ulafala-a-Tapumanaia Lameta-Brown, of Vaimoso, graduated from the New Zealand university last Friday witnessed by his family and friends, including mother, Elaine Ufagafā Lameta.

He flew back to Samoa after his graduation and in an interview with the Samoa Observer spoke of his new found knowledge and how it could be applied. 

"You see it in bridges, the beautiful new Apia Waterfront project or even at home when you fix your TV antenna for the hundredth time," he said, while encouraging youth to dream big. 

"Engineering may be seen as a difficult subject (and it certainly is) but it is in no ways unobtainable to everyone."

He said engineering is about being creative in designing real world solutions and coordinating with many different people to bring that solution into reality, which is knowledge he is now putting into practice while working with local firm OSM Consultants. 

"There's so many different, amazing types of engineering  from the more well-known civil engineering to the lesser known but equally important mechatronics engineering.

"There's so much about engineering that is interesting, so if you feel comfortable with a challenge, start doing some research into how you can make this your future career," he added. 

Mr. Lameta-Brown was a dux in his years at Robert Louis Stevenson College and the National University of Samoa Foundation Year in 2015, before heading off to Auckland University on a scholarship. 

He was also the President of the South Pacific Indigenous Engineering Students (S.P.I.E.S.) last year.