National University of Samoa
Encyclopedia
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.
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
.
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
.
Aiono is also the founder and president of the Indigenous University of Samoa ( Le Iunivesite o le Amosa o Savavau), established in 1997.
nasium was used as a venue for the 2007 South Pacific Games and the accommodation areas were made available to the New Caledonia
team.
in the world.
University
A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university is an organisation that provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education...
in Samoa
Samoa
Samoa , officially the Independent State of Samoa, formerly known as Western Samoa is a country encompassing the western part of the Samoan Islands in the South Pacific Ocean. It became independent from New Zealand in 1962. The two main islands of Samoa are Upolu and one of the biggest islands in...
. 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
Samoan language
Samoan Samoan Samoan (Gagana Sāmoa, is the language of the Samoan Islands, comprising the independent country of Samoa and the United States territory of American Samoa. It is an official language—alongside English—in both jurisdictions. Samoan, a Polynesian language, is the first language for most...
and culture
Culture of Samoa
The traditional culture of Samoa is a communal way of life based on Fa'a Samoa, the unique socio-political culture of Samoa. In Samoan culture, most activities are done together. There are 3 main parts in the Samoan culture, that is faith, family and music.The traditional living quarters, or fale ,...
, offers undergraduate and graduate degrees as well as the world first degree, Master of Samoan Studies.
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
Alafua
Alafua is a village in Samoa. It is approximately two miles from the country's capital, Apia. It is home to The University of the South Pacific at Alafua, the agricultural sector of the USP. It is also home to a popular tourist attraction, the Sliding Rocks, where visitors can slide on several...
Campus which specializes in Agriculture. The campus was built in part with funding from the Government of Japan
Government of Japan
The government of Japan is a constitutional monarchy where the power of the Emperor is very limited. As a ceremonial figurehead, he is defined by the 1947 constitution as "the symbol of the state and of the unity of the people". Power is held chiefly by the Prime Minister of Japan and other elected...
.
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.A director of the former polytechnic Emma Kruse Va'ai
Emma Kruse Va'ai
Emma Kruse Va'ai is a Samoan chief , writer and educator in Samoa. Her matai chief title is Letuimanu’asina.She has a PhD in English from the University of New South Wales in Australia and is a former director of Samoa Polytechnic...
is the current Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the university.
A former Professor of Samoan Studies at the university is Aiono Fanaafi Le Tagaloa
Aiono Fanaafi Le Tagaloa
Aiono Fanaafi Le Tagaloa is a chief , scholar, historian and professor of Samoa. An authority on Samoan culture and language, she is one of the most educated female matai in the country with a PhD in educational philosophy and applied linguistics from the University of London.She has been...
, a Samoan chief (matai) with a PhD
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
from the University of London
University of London
-20th century:Shortly after 6 Burlington Gardens was vacated, the University went through a period of rapid expansion. Bedford College, Royal Holloway and the London School of Economics all joined in 1900, Regent's Park College, which had affiliated in 1841 became an official divinity school of the...
.
Aiono is also the founder and president of the Indigenous University of Samoa ( Le Iunivesite o le Amosa o Savavau), established in 1997.
Academics
NUS's academic offerings include programs from eight faculties and schools:- 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 gymGym
The word γυμνάσιον was used in Ancient Greece, that mean a locality for both physical and intellectual education of young men...
nasium was used as a venue for the 2007 South Pacific Games and the accommodation areas were made available to the New Caledonia
New Caledonia
New Caledonia is a special collectivity of France located in the southwest Pacific Ocean, east of Australia and about from Metropolitan France. The archipelago, part of the Melanesia subregion, includes the main island of Grande Terre, the Loyalty Islands, the Belep archipelago, the Isle of...
team.
Trivia
The University campus is built around the largest Fale SamoaArchitecture of Samoa
The architecture of Samoa is characterised by openness, with the design mirroring the culture and life of the Samoan people who inhabit the Samoa Islands. Architectural concepts are incorporated into Samoan proverbs, oratory and metaphors, as well as linking to other art forms in Samoa, such as...
in the world.