By Martha Taumata Faavae
Well over 400 new graduates of the National University of Samoa celebrated their academic achievements today, Wednesday 31 March 2021, at the Le Papaigalagala Campus Gymnasium.
The Head of State, His Highness Tuimaleali’ifano Sualauvi Va’aleto’a attended. Acting Chief Justice Niava Ms. Mata Keli Tuatagaloa delivered the graduation keynote address.
Her emphasis was on the value of education and how the success goes a long way inside the family, church, village and the whole country.
Proud parents and other family members packed the venue.
Graduates celebrated a wide range of academic success from the certificate levels up to diplomas and degrees mainly in the fields of education and health.
A host of Masters degrees in education and development studies were awarded to close to 10 recipients together with a PHD degree presented in absentia.
Six of the NUS staff who completed overseas studies were also recognised with Master’s degrees at the Victoria and Otago Universities in New Zealand last year 2020.
One completed a PHD at Victoria University in applied linguistics.
The graduation returns some normalcy to the Le Papaigalagala Campus after being forced to cancel out last year by COVID-19 health safety restrictions.