National University of Samoa [N.U.S.] has signed an agreement with the Samoa Institute of Accountants to improve the quality of the curriculum offered by the university’s Faculty of Business and Entrepreneurship. 

The institute is the regulatory and professional body of the accounting profession in Samoa and had previously delivered the Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting degree program prior to the establishment of the university.

In an interview with the NUS President and Vice Chancellor, Aiono Professor Dr. Alec Ekeroma, he said that the S.I.A. wanted to assist the university for a long time and their contribution will be good for the course content.

"It has started already, they have already looked at the curriculum and so they’re making a recommendation and also they’ll be able to assist with part-time teaching.

"They are adding to the curriculum and so there’s a lot of goodwill."

The institute will assist the faculty improve curriculum and teaching quality in order to get accreditation. The university also believes that the graduates who will come out of the program will be able to meet Australian standards. 

Aiono said that the S.I.A. is keen to relieve some of the modules to the university. However, he said they will have to wait until the NUS increases its capacity before any more teaching duties are taken on board. 

Graduates can sit the various modules offered by the institute to enable them to become accredited to Australian standards, which means they will be able to work as accountants in Australia. 

In a statement, the Chair of the S.I.A. Board spoke of the institute’s long-held desire to assist the N.U.S. accounting program to meet international standards which will improve the overall quality of graduates.