National University of Samoa

National University of Samoa
Le Iunivesite Aoao o Samoa
Motto	Samoan - Ia Ao Samoa "Let there be light on Samoa"[1]
Established	1984
Type	Public
President	Le’apai Tu’ua ‘Ilaoa Asofou So’o
Admin. staff	300[2]
Students	2,000 (2010)[2]
Location	Apia, Samoa
Colors	Silver, Dark Royal Blue and Light Blue
Website	www.nus.edu.ws

The National University of Samoa (Le Iunivesite Aoao o Samoa) is the only national university in Samoa. Established in 1984 by an act of parliament, the university is coeducational and provides certificate, diploma, and undergraduate degree programs, as well as technical and vocational training. About 2,000 students are currently enrolled (2010) with an estimated 300 staff. It offers a wide range of programmes including Arts, Business and Entrepreneurship, Education, Science, Nursing, Engineering and Maritime Training. The Centre for Samoan Studies, established within the university for the teaching of the Samoan language and culture, offers undergraduate and graduate degrees as well as the world first degree, Master of Samoan Studies.^[1]

The National University of Samoa has the distinction of being one of two universities in Samoa, the second being the University of the South Pacific - Alafua Campus which specializes in Agriculture. The campus was built in part with funding from the Government of Japan.

History

The National University of Samoa was established in 1984 by an Act of parliament. Its first degree, the Bachelor of Education, was launched in 1987. A year later, the Bachelor of Arts degree was introduced. The first graduates in both programs were awarded their degrees in 1990. Soon after, the Faculty of Commerce and the Faculty of Science were established. The Samoan Health Department's School of Nursing was merged into the university in 1993 as the Faculty of Nursing, and the Western Samoa Teacher's College was merged in during 1997 as the Faculty of Education. The Institute of Samoan Studies was established in 1999 and its name was changed in 2005 to the Centre for Samoan Studies. In 2006, Samoa Polytechnic merged into the university as the Institute of Technology.^[3] A director of the former polytechnic Emma Kruse Va'ai is the current Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the university.

A former Professor of Samoan Studies at the university is Aiono Fanaafi Le Tagaloa, a Samoan chief (matai) with a PhD from the University of London.^[4] Aiono is also the founder and president of the Indigenous University of Samoa ( Le Iunivesite o le Amosa o Savavau), established in 1997.^[5]

Academics

NUS's academic offerings include programs from eight faculties and schools:^[6]

• Faculty of Arts
• Faculty of Business and Entrepreneurship
• Faculty of Education
• Faculty of Nursing and Health Science
• Faculty of Science
• School of Business & General Studies
• School of Engineering
• School of Maritime Training

South Pacific Games

The University's gymnasium was used as a venue for the 2007 South Pacific Games and the accommodation areas were made available to the New Caledonia team.

Trivia

The University campus is built around the largest Fale Samoa in the world.^{[citation needed]}

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "National University of Samoa: About the University". http://www.nus.edu.ws/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=132%3Anus-logo&catid=50%3Aabout-nus&Itemid=78. Retrieved 31 July, 2010. 
2. ^ ^{a b} "National University of Samoa: About NUS". http://www.nus.edu.ws/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=134&Itemid=29. Retrieved 31 July, 2010. 
3. ^ "National University of Samoa: History". http://www.nus.edu.ws/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=133%3Ahistory&catid=50%3Aabout-nus&Itemid=78. Retrieved 2009-01-16. 
4. ^ Lawson, Stephanie (1996). Tradition versus democracy in the South Pacific: Fiji, Tonga, and Western Samoa. Cambridge University Press. p. 150. ISBN 0521496381, 9780521496384. http://books.google.co.nz/books?id=WkwhtcpB3QwC&pg=PA150&dq=Le+Tagaloa+Pita&cd=1#v=onepage&q=Le%20Tagaloa%20Pita&f=false. 
5. ^ "The Samoan Identiy - O Le Tagata ma lona Faasinomaga". University of Otago, NZ. http://www.otago.ac.nz/pacific/Documents/samoan_identity2008.pdf. Retrieved 11 January 2010. 
6. ^ "National University of Samoa: About the University". http://www.nus.edu.ws/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=74&Itemid=78. Retrieved 2009-01-16.