N.U.S signs agreement with waste association

By Marc Membrere 30 October 2020, 6:00PM

The National University of Samoa has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Samoa Recycling and Waste Management Association on Thursday to promote and sustain proper waste management practices.

In his opening address, the N.U.S. President and Vice Chancellor, Professor Alec Ekeroma stated we need to look at the N.U.S Waste Management Plan and also the Association's strategy to create common and shared values between both parties to generate the kind of energy that fuels growth, innovation and creativity.

“The shared growths are summarised in the mission statement of the M.O.U. To promote and sustain proper waste management practices,” he said.

Professor Ekeroma acknowledged the work of the university's governance policy and planning division and the N.U.S. Faculty of Business and Entrepreneurship, and he added that he looks forward to working closely with the Association in all the upcoming projects.

The President of Association, Marina Keil, told the Samoa Observer in an interview that she was happy about the signing of the M.O.U with N.U.S.

Ms. Keil stated that they are looking forward to collaborating with the university to implement some of the Association projects that are ready to be rolled out this year and next year.

She further explained that they are also happy to assist with the N.U.S. in-house waste management plans.


She explained that they had received a funding of $100,000 tala from the Coca-Cola Foundation for their plastic and aluminum recycling and the funding covers the distribution of cages and bins out to the schools, public areas and stores.

This is for the collection of P.E.T. bottles, plastic bottles and the aluminium cans which they then collect, pelletize for export and plan to do a project to turn the materials into fence posts and bricks.

The N.U.S through the F.O.B.E and the governance, policy and planning division are working collaboratively with Association in the implementation of the Plastic Bottles and Aluminum Can recycling Community Programme ,which is funded by Coca-Cola and targets the Samoan village community

The programme has two components which are the promotional and awareness marketing implemented by F.O.B.E and G.P.P. and construction of segregated waste bins.

In a phone interview with Samoa Observer, F.O.B.E. Dean, Dr Rafia Naz stated that she is very delighted that F.O.B.E is part of this initiative and with the signing of the M.O.U between N.U.S and the Association.

Dr. Naz explained that F.O.B.E joined the initiative because the Association had approached F.O.B.E to discuss the initiative and they needed someone to forge ahead with their marketing.

She stated that F.O.B.E had volunteered to join the initiative in terms of creating advocacy and campaigning. 

Dr. Naz further stated that the marketing initiative was taken on board by her, Aruna Tuala, and marketing students, to market the delivery of this particular campaign in terms of creating advocacy and awareness inside the University and in the community.

By Marc Membrere 30 October 2020, 6:00PM

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