Incoming National University of Samoa (N.U.S.) Vice Chancellor, Professor Aiono Alec Ekeroma, has assured parents, students and other stakeholders they are keen to hear their views on improving the university.

The academic said this after his appointment as the university’s new V.C. was formalised with an ava ceremony last Friday at the university Fale Samoa, becoming the institution’s fifth V.C. since its establishment in 1984.

“I with the management team will hold listening clinics with staff, students, stakeholders and parents to redefine the goals and values of the university,” he said in a statement issued by the university. “We need to know what we are doing well and what we are not doing so well.

Prof. Ekeroma said keeping a sharp eye on the goals and values of the university is crucial to achieving the strategic plans set out by the N.U.S.

“The goals and values of the university are outlined in the strategic plan. We are in the business of changing lives through higher education, life-long learning and research.”

All parts of the university have equal importance according to the new V.C. and it is important to ensure the N.U.S. is kept abreast of its goals and objectives.

“Each and every part of the university is important. A pain in the toe can affect the other parts of the body. We need to make sure that we have sound human and financial resources, student quality and support, systems, policies and processes to address the smooth running and development of our teaching and research programmes,” Prof. Ekeroma added.

“Our professional staff and academic leaders will be given the necessary support and sustainable resources to excel and deliver to their department and faculty goals and performance indicators. We should aim to improve the quality of our programmes and market these effectively to our employers and to neighbouring countries.”

The N.U.S. Council endorsed the appointment of Prof. Ekeroma as V.C. and President at its 62nd Meeting on October 3-4 last year. The recommendation was then submitted to Cabinet for approval as is the practice for all C.E.O. positions of Government Ministries and state-owned entities. He was confirmed to the position by the Cabinet on October 9 last year, based on the recommendation of the N.U.S Council.

Prof. Ekeroma obtained his PhD from Auckland University, MBA from the University of Keele in the United Kingdom, MBBS from the University of Papua New Guinea, FRCOG (Fellow of the Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology United Kingdom), RANZCOG (Royal Australian and New Zealand College Of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists), and is a member of the New Zealand Institute of Directors.