Faaolo Utumapu was born blind and graduated with a Masters in Communications and Media studies from Monash University in Australia.
Ms Utumapu has worked as a broadcast journalist and editor in the past before working for the Nuanua o le Alofa organisation for the development of the people with disabilities in Samoa.
RNZ reports she was also awarded Disability Champion in 2015 at the local human rights awards.
The National University of Samoa's Vice Chancellor Professor Fui Dr Lau Asofou So'o said they were happy to have Ms Utumapu join the faculty.
