The Aoga Fiamalamalama has received computer equipment from the Queensland University of Technology including desktop computers, laptops, iPads, projectors, and monitors.

The presentation of the donation was held at the Aoga Fiamalamalama at Alafua on Wednesday.

In her opening address, the President of the Aoga Fiamalamalama school board Anelisa Auelua said that the Queensland University of Technology is a major Australian university with a global outlook and real-world focus located in the city of Brisbane.

"These I.T. (Information Technology) devices donated to our Aoga Fiamalamalama are reconditioned from Queensland University of Technology among many other donated computers to support learning and teaching in communities not only in Australia but they have also shared to Samoa and to our Aoga Fiamalamalama and so we are very grateful for this donation and this assistance to our school," Mrs. Auelua said.

"And we would also like to make special acknowledgment in making this donation possible and making its way to Samoa, we would like to thank Tagaloatele Fepuari 'Febs' Ierome, as he has been our key contact for this assistance, his family and friends, and Queensland University of Technology colleagues [...] Mel van Nek Logistics Coordinator at Q.U.T, and her team in the division of Learning Environment and Technology Support.

"They kindly donated these I.T. devices for our Aoga Fiamalamalama. Special thanks also to a Samoan brother at Queensland University of Technology and his family and friends in Brisbane for their help in organising this donation to make its way all over here to Samoa and to our Aoga Fiamalamalama headquarters here at Alafua."

The Australian High Commission to Samoa's First Secretary Julia Wheeler said in her keynote address on Wednesday that the IT equipment housed within the computer room has been provided through a partnership with the Division of Learning Environment and Technology Support at the Queensland University of Technology.

"And it is wonderful to think staff members at a university in Queensland are able to assist students in Samoa in this way. And even through the challenges of COVID-19 it's heartening to know that the spirit of kindness and generosity is evident through acts like this," she said.

Mrs. Wheeler said that this is a wonderful example of the deep connections and partnerships that exists between Australia and Samoa.

She added that technology is an integral part of modern-day life and the provision of desktop computers, laptops, iPads and a projector will allow the inclusion of teaching important life skills such as digital literacy into the curriculum, and will also assist the teachers in the delivery of education.

"There have been numerous articles on Aoga Fiamalamalama in the Samoa Observer this year highlighting the importance of programmes which empowers students to prepare for employment opportunities once they leave school," she said.

She said that education for all is at the heart of Australia's development policy partnerships for recovery and that here in Samoa, Australia is proud to have been supporting inclusive education providers in Samoa, including Aoga Fiamalamalama for over a decade.

"So I look forward to continuing to see the wonderful work that is done at Aoga Fiamalamalama," she said.

The Principal of Aoga Fiamalamalama Sharon Suhren is happy about the equipment that the school has received and gave her thanks to those who had donated to the school.

"All I can say is a big thank you," she said.

She is surprised with the equipment the school has received and is overwhelmed by the generosity of those who were involved in the donation.

"I thank the management of the Queensland University of Technology for helping Febs put together all the stuff because they even added stuff like multi plugs, multi-purpose plugs, and things like that," she said.

"And even the packaging and everything, they made sure that it got here and arrived here safely."

She confirmed that they will be providing computer training for school staff to ensure the maintenance and proper use of the equipment.