More than 200 students will graduate on Friday as the University of the South Pacific Samoa Campus prepares for a celebration centred on the theme Taualuga.

Tootoooleaava Dr Fanaafi Aiono-Le Tagaloa, Director of The University of the South Pacific Samoa Campus, said graduation is a very special time for the university because it marks the culmination of the effort made by students, academic staff, administration and support staff.

She said the celebration is shared not only by the graduates who will become alumni of USP, but also by everybody who contributed to the academic journeys of the students.

"The choice of the theme Taualuga speaks to many different things and can be applied personally and institutionally by the university, families, villages, churches, netball clubs, soccer clubs and the many different groups students belong to," she said.

"Preparations for the graduation have been underway for a long time at the venue as different groups continue coordinating for the event. The program includes the musical side, the creative production side, sound systems, lights and screens, while the ceremony will also be livestreamed on the USP YouTube channel for people unable to attend.

"The scale of the event requires support and cooperation from many groups and is costly in terms of time, talent and creativity."

The director said the graduation is particularly special because USP is owned by 12 Pacific Island countries, and the role of Chancellor rotates alphabetically among the member countries.

She said last year the Chancellor was from Tokelau, and this year the role moved alphabetically to Tonga, making King Tupou VI the Chancellor of USP.

She said the King’s attendance at the graduation adds another special element because it will be his first official visit to Samoa as King of Tonga.

On the financial side, she said the graduation should be viewed as an investment that will continue producing benefits beyond Friday. 

She also said the event reflects the value USP gives to Samoa as a member country that owns the university and highlights the development of Samoa’s support services and event capabilities.