The National University of Samoa (N.U.S) continues to strive for international recognition through partnerships with overseas universities.
One of those partnerships is a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the University of Otago, where a number of achievements have been successful.
The MOU started in 2004 when the University of Otago’s Dean of Faculty of Medicine visited NUS, initiating talks of a staff and student exchange programmes as well as collaboration in research and publication between the two universities.
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To date, that MOU has exceeded expectations through upgrading NUS staff credentials under its Professional Development Programme.
The University of Otago has since committed funding to support two NUS staff members pursuing studies for a Master’s Degree (MA) and a Doctorate in Philosophy (PhD).
The initial arrangement was providing two scholarships to undertake MA in the University of Otago.
However, there is a new development phase in the academic ranking at NUS; where by those employed at Level Grade 2 according to the Academic Classification, equivalent of the Public Service Commission Principal Level, must have a minimum MA qualification.
In 2014, the NUS Vice Chancellor and President, Professor Fui Le’apai Tu’ua ‘Ilaoa Asofou So’o then held discussions with the Pro Vice Chancellor (International) of Otago, Professor Helen Nicholson regarding another opportunity to maintain that ranking.
“The Pro Vice Chancellor of International Otago, who is also initiating discussions with NUS in terms of where we are with our MOU, was advised of another phase of professional development programme at NUS, that we now have staff members at Grade 2 or better in academic ranking with at least a MA degree,” said Prof. Fui.
“It was therefore suggests if Otago was willing to sponsor our staff undertaking PhD studies. It was agreed that we keep one scholarship to a candidate doing MA and one for PhD, to be offered at every second year.”
The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (International) is responsible for the overall direction of International Division and for overseeing the implementation of the University’s international development strategies and linkages with institutions world-wide.
The newly approved Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) programme of the NUS Faculty of Medicine requires suitably qualified and experienced lecturers or academic clinicians to develop and deliver the programme. As Samoa lacks the local expertise to develop and draft course materials for such a new programme, the University of Otago has offered the expertise of its two professors to assist in the curriculum development.
They are Professors Peter Cramptom and David Perez who were assisting local lecturers to teach and put together teaching materials for the two courses. These courses are Anatomy HMS111 and Physiology HMS112.
Professors Crampton and Perez then arranged for the release of other two professors to continue the courses delivery. Professors Fiona McDonald and Hallie Buckley attended to this staff exchange and have completed their two weeks, this week.
“For this year, we have had the assistance of those two professors at the national hospital.
One ends this week and another finished two weeks ago,” Prof. Fui said. “That will be the arrangement for next three years.”
Two local counter parts will continue what has been started. They are Tuigamala Dr Stanley Dean (Physiology) and Lalau Dr Faitasi Gae’e (Anatomy) for this semester.
“We also used to run a joint postgraduate course with the (University of Otago) in health research. A number of staff members and locals took that course as an elective, now offered under the Masters in Samoan Studies and Postgraduate in Development Studies.”
“We’ve had that long relationship with Otago and we look forward to continuing that working relationship.”
The newly set up Faculty of Medicine (FOM) was established following a Cabinet decision in January 2014.
Earlier this month, five new medical students under government scholarships were welcomed during the first Orientation Programme for the FOM under the direction of NUS.
*Misa Vicky Lepou is a lecturer at the Media and Journalism Programme and administrator for the NUS website and NUS School of Media and Journalism Facebook Page.
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