The Samoa Qualifications Authority (S.Q.A) has a new Chief Executive Officer.

She is Letuimanu’asina Dr. Emma Kruse-Va’ai, the Samoa Observer confirmed from reliable sources last night.

Letuimanu’asina takes over the role from Lemalu Lafi Sanerivi, who unexpectedly resigned in June. The Samoa Observer was told Lemalu’s decision to resign over health concerns.

In September last year, Cabinet appointed Lemalu, who assumed the role after Fepuleai Sinapi Moli passed away.

It was not possible to get an official confirmation from Cabinet last night.

When Letuimanu’asina was contacted two days ago, she politely declined to comment.

In Samoa though, Letuimanu’asina needs little introduction. 

She is a prominent figure in academia, holding a number of senior positions in key educational institutions in Samoa and overseas.  

She was a senior lecturer in the Department of English Language and Literature before she became the Deputy Vice Chancellor of the National University of Samoa. 

Letuimanu’asina is a published Writer in Poetry and Short Stories. She studied at Victoria University in Wellington, New Zealand and then gained her PhD in English from the University of New South Wales in Australia.

She is one of eight children in her family and is married to Judge Alo Vaemoa Va’ai. 

“She is a fierce advocate in education among the Samoan community, and believes it to be ‘the key to a well-rounded society and stable economy’,” a profile of her reads.

“Other than being an educator, she is a published poet and writer. Her stories have been translated in other languages in the Pacific Islands. Kruse-Va’ai is also an Executive Committee member of the Samoa Association of Women Graduates (SWAG).

“Her published work include: Palolo Time, a poem from Samoa published in 1998, Ready for School, a story from Samoa published in 1998 and Producing the text of culture: the appropriation of English in contemporary Samoa published in 2011.”