By Staff Writer
New Attorney General Savaleoa Mareva Betham Annandale
New Attorney General Savalenoa Mareva Betham Annandale has given the University of the South Pacific a much needed profile lift with her appointment at the chief executive level.
Her new legal status comes at a time when the USP is going through a difficult period over policy issues that has re-ignited anti university reactions for the regional institution to close down.
Savalenoa is the first Law School graduate of the USP to become Attorney General for Samoa and the second woman to hold the top job in the legal office.
The USP Students Association, School of Law and the Samoan students alumni are among the first to congratulate her.
The Minister of Education, Loau Keneti Sio, has welcomed the appointment as a positive for the university image smeared by a lingering management controversy.
“The thinking that is starting to emerge within the member countries because of controversy is to set up their own universities,” the Minister reflected.
Loau was closely involved in recent attempts to resolve the differences and misunderstanding at the top management level.
The Deputy Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa joined him.
Samoa is strongly against closing the USP down after more than 4 decades of establishment and growth that has made it better recognised around the world.
Loau also argued that as a Minister of the University, support for the USP should be maintained.
“As a region we have to stand together.
“For each member country to have their own university is costly and our major USP donors would prefer to concentrate their assistance on the regional institute, rather than split up the cake.”
The Minister also acknowledged the many graduates from the USP that have benefitted their respective countries with their contributions.
Attorney General Savalenoa is one of the most recent example. The holder of a Bachelor’s degree in law has been in the legal profession for more than 20 years.
About half of her working career was spent with the Office of the Attorney General where she worked her way up to become one of the assistants to the Attorney General.
Savalenoa worked in New Zealand for the Department of Corrections and the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs.
Back in Samoa she became President of the Samoa Law Society and just before becoming Attorney General, was one half of the Annandale and Betham Law Firm set up with her husband.
Former attorney general Lemalu Herman Retzlaff left the job open when his 3-year contract term ended a while back and did not seek renewal.
Savalenoa steps in to take over officially next month in August with a similar contracted term as her predecessor.
