Close to a hundred National University of Samoa students have been awarded scholarships to study in overseas universities this year.
They were congratulated at a ceremony held at the University yesterday.
A Prayer Service was conducted by Rev. Siaosi Salesulu who gave the students words of encouragement, telling them that they were now young Samoan Ambassadors and as such, “you should always stick with God."
“Don’t let abuse and praise get to you,” he advised, reminding “it is the prayers of Samoa that you walk with faith and in the end you shall find success."
In his Keynote Address, Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegoi, who is also the Chairman of the Scholarship and Training Committee, encouraged the scholars to use the opportunities that are being made available to them wisely.
<!-- ads-articles(24.03.14) -->
<ins class="adsbygoogle"
style="display:inline-block;width:336px;height:280px"
data-ad-client="ca-pub-9419815128221199"
data-ad-slot="2395638412"></ins>
<script>
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
</script>{/googleAds}
He reminded them that “you have an obligation to return to Samoa after your studies to serve and apply your newly-acquired knowledge” to benefit your country.
He advised: “Grab the opportunity with both hands and make the most of it.
“As sons and daughters of Samoa, and as recipients of scholarships overseas, go with the thought of how you can help pave the way forward for the development of your country, and what you can contribute when you return.
“Following the completion of your studies you are expected to return to serve and use your newly acquired knowledge for the betterment of the country.”
Tuilaepa also reminded the students that many scholars had been returned home before completion of their scholarships.
“Many have brought back and no more scholarships will be wasted on them,” recalled Tuilaepa.
He said: “They were brought back because they caused trouble, they liked drinking and clubbing, and they ended up in fights, especially those going to Fiji.”
He then acknowledged the generous assistance of Samoa’s perennial partners whose support was vitally invaluable in Samoa’s struggle as a developing nation.
It’s understood that 40 scholars are sponsored by the Australian government, and 53 are sponsored by the New Zealand government.
Seven are sponsored by the government of Samoa.
Both the Acting High Commissioners of New Zealand and Australia, Ms Sophie Vickers and Ms Rosemary McKay respectively, spoke at the ceremony. They offered their congratulations and wished the scholars well also.
They assured them that their countries’ investment in their academic studies were vitally important to the development of Samoa as an Independent Nation.
This year also marks the first three-year trial programme of a scheme aimed at addressing the shortages in the workforce in Education and Health.
<!-- ads-articles(24.03.14) -->
<ins class="adsbygoogle"
style="display:inline-block;width:336px;height:280px"
data-ad-client="ca-pub-9419815128221199"
data-ad-slot="2395638412"></ins>
<script>
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
</script>{/googleAds}