The honorary Doctorate of Laws bestowed upon caretaker Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi by Victoria University remains intact despite calls from his political critics for it to be revoked.

A spokesperson for Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, said the school is not aware of an honorary degree being revoked while confirming that Tuilaepa's honorary degree remains intact.

Revocation of an honorary degree is a decision that can only be made by the University Council, the university said, and there has been no decision made to revoke Tuilaepa’s honorary degree.

The university said it was unaware of any previous instances in which it had revoked an honorary degree.

“Any decision to revoke an honorary degree would be made by the University Council and the Council would conduct a thorough review and follow a process similar to the one followed to award the honorary degree in the first place," the spokesperson said. 

A revocation can only be considered “in the rarest of cases,” the university said. 

“Consequently it is expected that any revocation would be considered only in the rarest of cases."

A petition on the change.org website calling for the university to revoke the caretaker Prime Minister's honorary degree, accusing Tuilaepa of acting undemocratically in the wake of the April election. 

The petition has gained more than 3,000 signatures so far. 

A supporter of Tuilaepa then initiated a counter-petition, apologising to Victoria University for the first petition adding “we don’t mix political disputes with academic achievements.” That counter petition has garnered more than 2,000 signatures.

The caretaker Prime Minister was conferred the degree in 2012, the year Samoa celebrated its 50th years of independence.

The 2012 Vice-Chancellor of Victoria University, Professor Pat Walsh, said the Prime Minister’s contribution to Samoa had been immense.

“It is particularly fitting that in this year, the 50th anniversary of Samoan independence and the Treaty of Friendship between Samoa and New Zealand, we recognise the enormous influence Tuilaepa Malielegaoi has had in shaping his country,” said Professor Walsh.

“Victoria University has a long association with Samoa, and the opportunity to develop closer educational ties will be of tremendous benefit to both parties.”

Tuilaepa's efforts in strengthening Samoa’s relationships with other nations, including New Zealand, and advocating for regional approaches to political security, education and resource management issues were also noted by the university.