The National University of Samoa [N.U.S.] management is considering opening a program that was previously restricted to lecturers in the university’s Health Science Faculty.

The N.U.S. President and Vice Chancellor, Professor Aiono Dr. Alec Ekeroma, told a talanoa live session on Tuesday that the university is looking at opening up the program to staff from other faculties such as the Faculty of Education.

“We have a program with Victoria University called ‘Growing our Own’ whereby our staff can study locally in Samoa but is supervised by Victoria University. If the qualification is granted, it is from Victoria,” he said. 

“However, only the Faculty of Health Science is only eligible for this opportunity. We are trying to extend it so that others may also be eligible.”

The initiative was launched in May 2018 as a response to a chronic shortage of qualified lecturers within the N.U.S. School of Nursing. It established a partnership between the N.U.S. and Victoria University of Wellington’s Graduate School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health. 

The initiative delivers five doctorates, eight masters degrees and up to 40 diploma and certificate courses in Samoa and is only made available to the lecturers of the university’s Health Science Faculty.

However, Professor Aiono said the university will begin discussions with its Faculty of Education on its lecturers becoming eligible to join the initiative, as they will benefit in the long run.

“This is important and beneficial because a lecturer wouldn’t need to go overseas for studies,” he added. “They can still teach at the university while studying.”