The National University of Samoa has cancelled the Foundation student graduation and postponed the vocational studies graduation until April 2020.

In a press release, the N.U.S Council announced several students had contracted measles and arrived on campus, only to be sent home.

According to the Ministry of Health, as of early last week 48 people have confirmed cases of measles and 513 have suspected cases. The Ministry reports three measles-related mortalities so far.

Foundation level graduating students will receive a full refund for their graduation and will be informed shortly how to collect their certificates from the University. 

Students in the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) courses are scheduled to have a graduation ceremony in April 2020.

“Management and Council fully understand the importance and cultural significance of these ceremonies in the celebration of the academic achievements of our graduates,” the release states.

“However, given the seriousness of the current measles health crisis, taking precautionary measures to contain the spread of measles which ultimately save lives is the responsible thing to do.

“This decision focuses only on the graduation ceremonies and does not affect in anyway the normal process for results approval and results ranking for scholarship purposes.”

Professor Silafau Sina Vaai, Interim Vice Chancellor and Deputy Vice-Chancellor Peseta Desmond Lee Hang are available to be contacted for further information, at [email protected] and [email protected].

National University of Samoa exams have not been cancelled or postponed.

Meanwhile at the school level, preschools are closed, and primary schools will shut two weeks early this Friday the 15th while secondary schools are expected to close on the 29th following exams.