The National University of Samoa is celebrating 32 years of providing tertiary level education in Samoa.
And to commemorate this progress, the university celebrated the success of three of its staff members.
Vice Chancellor and President of NUS, Professor Fui Leapai Ilaoa Dr. Asofou Soo was very excited to announce the new achievements to his staff and NUS' goal to achieve its two functions in Samoa.
"Any University around the world, has two functions, to educate and to research and gather new knowledge.
Today we celebrate the product of NUS' hard work over the years," said Prof Fui.
The first announcement is the addition of a new staff member.
Edna Temese-Ualesi has just completed her Doctor in Philosophy studies in Japan.
"When this university started we didn’t have anyone with a Doctorates degree, now after 32 years we have 16 qualified PhD holders, with ten more on the way," added The VC.
Temese-Ualesi though is a product of the university's few local students.
She admits to being one of the few who chose to stay in Samoa back in her days while everyone else was travelling overseas for scholarships and higher education.
Her message was, "we are recognised by universities around the world".
"I completed my Bachelor of Arts in English here in Samoa and from then on paved my way on to where I’m at. So it’s possible if you put your mind to it," she said.
Another important milestone for NUS, was the launch of two new books co-authored by one of its staff professors with the assistance of overseas university professors.
"These books mean two things, we have acquired new knowledge and now were going to dispense it through these books. And the partnership between our staff members and other universities is a sign they recognise our university," said Prof Fui.
The books were a part of the hard work by NUS' very own Helene Martinsson-Wallin who has been teaching at NUS for quite a long time.
And to cap off a great year to its progress, the VC has announced a new Director of Finance for the University following the appointment of Faamatuainu Faamasani Asi to the position.
Asi holds a Bachelor of Commerce from NUS and has quite a consistent background in educational studies in the university.
The push for NUS now is to involve its staff more in learning and research and while disseminating knowledge, it should also be gathering new knowledge at the same time.