The degrees submitted by suspended National University of Samoa School of Medicine Lecturer, Osborne Embiruka Nyandiva, to secure a senior position at the institution, “are all not authentic."

This is the conclusion of an investigation by the Samoa Qualifications Authority (S.Q.A.) in response to a request from the Ministry of Health (M.O.H.) and the National University of Samoa (N.U.S.).  

The report of the findings, dated 20th June 2019, is addressed to the Minister of Education, Sports and Culture, Loau Keneti Sio. 

The qualifications in question was a Master of Medicine (Anatomic and Clinical Pathology) awarded by the University of Nairobi, a Doctor of Philosophy (Molecular Pathology and Oncology) from the University of Stellenboch, and a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery from Mount Kenya University. 

The Authority's report found that they are “not authentic qualification(s)”. 

The first two qualifications was questioned by the M.O.H. in May this year while verification of the last qualification was requested by the N.U.S. on 18th June 2019. 

“All three (3) qualifications belonging to Mr. Osborne Embiruka Nyandiva submitted to the S.Q.A. to undergo the foreign qualifications recognition service are ALL NOT AUTHENTIC. The requesting agencies: Ministry of Health and the National University were informed accordingly for their appropriate actions,” stated the report.

The S.Q.A. investigation was launched following a request from the Director General of the Ministry of Health, Leausa Dr. Take Naseri, who questioned Embiruka’s credentials. 

The N.U.S. has since placed Embiruka on leave pending an ongoing investigation. 

Leausa told the Samoa Observer that Embiruka did “laboratory work” for the hospital and the “reports submitted appeared questionable and this prompted the query with the N.U.S.", which was later extended to the Samoa Qualification Authority. 

The report is printed verbatim below. 

Hon Loau Solamalemalo Kenetio Sio

Minister of Education, Sports & Culture

Purpose of briefing

The purpose of this document is to inform the Minister of the findings related to three (3) Foreign Qualification Recognition assessments concerning the abovenamed.  This briefing also provides an overview of the FQR process.  

Overview of the FQR process

The task of qualification recognition is one of the SQA’s legislated functions, as stipulated in the SQA Act 2010: “Work with overseas government agencies and other institutions to recognise overseas qualifications in Samoa and to achieve international recognition for qualifications awarded in Samoa” - SQA Act 2010: Section 4 (n). 

While it is not mandatory for employment or study in Samoa to have SQA recognised qualifications, this service offers qualification authenticity verification assistance for employers, providers, learners, job seekers, government bodies, professional organisations and associations. It is primarily the above entities who instigate the qualification recognition service through an application to SQA.

There are two (2) types of assessments in the FQR service; the applicant has the choice to request for both assessment types, or opt for the Authenticity service alone: 

Authenticity of the qualification and quality assured status of the qualification in the awarding country, and

The comparable Samoa Qualification Framework level of the qualification. 

Findings and Results 

Master of Medicine (Anatomic and Clinical Pathology)

The abovenamed qualification as alleged to have been awarded to Mr. Osborne Embiruka Nyandiva by the University of Nairobi is NOT an authentic qualification. The report containing the evidence and findings particular to this assessment, was delivered to the requesting agency (MoH) on the 16th May 2019. 

Doctor of Philosophy (Molecular Pathology and Oncology)

The abovenamed qualification as alleged to have been awarded to Mr. Osborne Embiruka Nyandiva by the University of Stellenboch is NOT an authentic qualification. The report containing the evidence and findings particular to this assessment, was delivered to the requesting agency (MoH) on the 16th May 2019.

Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery

The abovenamed qualification as alleged to have been awarded to Mr. Osborne Embiruka Nyandiva by the Mount Kenya University is NOT an authentic qualification. The report containing the evidence and findings particular to this assessment, was delivered to the requesting agency (NUS) on the 18th June 2019.

Overview of the briefings 

All three (3) qualifications belonging to Mr. Osborne Embiruka Nyandiva submitted to the SQA to undergo the foreign qualifications recognition service are ALL NOT AUTHENTIC. The requesting agencies; Ministry of Health and the National University were informed accordingly for their appropriate actions. 

Yours sincerely,

____________________________

Maposua Mose Asani

ACTING CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER