A total of 138 students graduated from The University of the South Pacific’s (USP) Alafua Campus graduation ceremony which was held for the very first time on Savaii – the larger of the two main islands of Samoa.
The ceremony was held at the ‘Apita o Pisaga’ Hall in Salelologa on 11 December 2015.
Speaking at the event, USP Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Rajesh Chandra reminded graduates that the chance to prove themselves does not end now.
“You still have a lot to achieve and shine in your respective fields and there is a lot that a University experience instills in an individual outside the academic context which includes integrity, good ethics, vision, humility and compassion, which cannot be graded but will be put to test in your journey henceforth,” he said.
Professor Chandra added that despite the many challenges that graduates may encounter, the knowledge and skills gained at USP should prepare them well to tackle these challenges successfully.
He highlighted that the single most significant benefit to Samoa from USP is the development of human resources, as this helps the economy become increasingly knowledge-based and self-reliant.
“In the last 47 years, more than 1,500 graduates across a range of higher education qualifications have been Samoan nationals,” he pointed out.
The Vice-Chancellor highlighted a number of significant achievements of the USP Alafua Campus which houses the School of Agriculture and Food Technology (SAFT). These included:
Significant increase in student numbers over the past three years. SAFT has recorded a 24 per cent increase compared to 2014. Currently there are three PhD, nine Masters and 37 Postgraduate Diploma students who have either completed or are pursuing their further education at the Alafua Campus; Completion of the SAFT Programme Review. The University had undertaken the review to improve the SAFT degree programmes and make it more relevant to the needs and development priorities of the USP member countries by providing a high quality and relevant agricultural education for our students. The revised Bachelor of Agriculture program will be implemented in 2017. SAFT and Czech University of Life Sciences (CULS), in Prague are looking at more collaborative research into essential oils, under-utilised crops and stimulants such as coffee, cocoa and Kava and; This year has been a good year for SAFT research outputs with a total of 10 research publications and a further six have been presented at international conferences;
During the ceremony, the Prime Minister of Samoa, Honourable Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi was awarded the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws (LLD) by USP.
Talking about the USP Savaii Centre, Professor Rajesh Chandra said that the fully operational KU Band satellite service at the centre is very effective in ensuring Savaii students enjoy continuous online communication with lecturers at Laucala, Emalus, and Alafua as well as other support services.
He stated that the University will continue with its transformation for excellence by keeping ‘quality’ as a core theme and aiming for more programme accreditations to form the central part of its quality assurance.
According to Vice-Chancellor, key targets under the seven Priority Areas of Strategic Plan are on track to be met by 2018.
He assured member governments, including Samoa that USP will continue to provide the high quality service that members and people deserve, within the resources available to the University.
“The University has strong foundations to move ahead and with the blessings of our many stakeholders, we are very much encouraged to take USP to another level that is commensurate with their expectations of worthy of the sacrifices and toils of so many people that are behind us in the transformation of USP into an excellent university.”
As a final word of advice, Professor Chandra told graduates that the teachings and values that they received at USP will be the guiding star in their search for excellence.
The ceremony was well attended by guests, amongst which included Prime Minister Tuilaepa , Acting Pro Chancellor and Chair of Council, Fekita Utoi’kamanu, Samoan Minister of Education, Magele Mauiliu Magele, Ministers and Members of Parliament, Excellencies and Members of the Diplomatic Corps.
Amongst the 138 graduates, 56 per cent of the students were at the postgraduate level.