By Staff Writer
The University of Otago has appointed Faumuina Fa’afetai Sopoaga as its first Pacific female professor.
A University statement announced the appointment and also added that she is the first female medical doctor appointed as professor in Australasia.
Sopoaga or Dr. Tai as she is known inside the University campus holds the chiefly title Faumuina from Fagaloa.
The New Zealand based newly appointed professor needs no introduction to Samoa.
Professor Faumuina was one of the main moving forces behind the overseas Samoan doctors volunteer services work in Samoa during the measles epidemic last year.
At the time she was an associate professor at Otago University.
She is a public health and primary health care physician. Her research interests include mental health and wellbeing, Pacific workforce and capacity building.
(Expanded version on Sunday Newsline)
