Five University of Otago students who were unable to travel to New Zealand for their graduation had their undergraduate and postgraduate degrees conferred during the National University of Samoa (N.U.S.) TVET graduation.

More than a thousand people gathered at the N.U.S. Gymnasium on Thursday to witness the TVET graduation with the families and relatives of the five University of Otago students also attending. 

The University of Otago graduates included: Patricia Pretika Singh (Bachelor of Science) and Tupuivao Vaiaso Jr (Postgraduate Diploma in Science with Credit in Energy Studies and Master of Science with Credit in Energy Science and Technology).

The other graduates included: Faitau Darryl Laifai Pupi (Master of Applied Science with Credit in Advanced Nutrition Practice), Helen Marie Anna Skipps (Master of Sustainable Business with Distinction) and Sarah Natasha Tamapua (Bachelor of Commerce).

Speaking to the Samoa Observer, Faitau said his academic journey was not easy but was worth it. 

The 29-year-old is the son of Lemamea Tuaoitau Pupi and Tuiavii Alapati Pupi of the villages of Vaitele, Lepea, Vaigaga and Fagasa, Savai'i and also holds a Bachelor of Human Nutrition from the University of Otago.

“When I got to New Zealand, it was around the time when the COVID-19 pandemic had started and the country went into lockdown,” he told this newspaper.

Faitau said it took him one year and a half to complete his degree and he could not travel abroad due to the pandemic. 

“But the university has made arrangements with the N.U.S. to do our graduation here; we get to celebrate it here and have all our family members instead of going there and not have anyone be there to celebrate together," he said.

“[One of the reasons why I chose this topic to pursue further studies in is] because Samoa currently faces a problem with non-communicable disease (NCD) and it's all around the nutrition component or the eating or diets.”

He saw his studies as an opportunity and a challenge as he was one of very few nutritionists in Samoa that graduated from university.

Faitau also work for the Ministry of Health and his studies were sponsored by New Zealand Aid scholarship.

“The biggest challenge I faced was being away from family during the whole duration of my studies because when I did Bachelor’s degree I was able to travel back," he said. 

“Unlike Samoa, New Zealand had COVID-19 cases and it spread, so the university was also in lockdown, we had to stay in our rooms and study all the time. It was also a blessing for us because we were more focused in doing studies.”

He credited his achievement to his family, village and church (Congregational Christian Church Samoa at Vaitele-uta).

“One of the gaps in the health system is having qualified health nutritionists and also credit the people of Samoa.”

The University of Otago graduate urged others to take up studies in various fields that there is a need to address certain issues and find solutions.

“For my degree, I hope to fight the burden of NCD in Samoa.”

He also acknowledged both university N.U.S. and University of Otago in making their graduation possible.