Otago House launched at NUS

Written by Meghan Bonin
Friday, 28 March 2008
Vice-Chancellor of the University of Otago, Professor David Skegg with the Vice Chancellor of the NUS Magele Muailiu The bond between the National University of Samoa and the University of Otago has been strengthened with the launch of the new branch located at Lepapaigalagala campus, yesterday morning 27th of March. The new building located at the NUS campus stands as a symbol of friendship and co-operation between the two institutions. A friendship that began with the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding in 2004, which resulted in the expansion of greater co-operation and collaboration in the field of Learning and International Research between the two Universities, explained Pro-Chancellor of the National University of Samoa, Minister of education, Sports and Culture, Honorable To’omata Alapati Poese To’omata. The University of Otago, which was founded in 1869 is said to be the oldest Institution of Higher Learning in New Zealand and ranked as New Zealand’s number one in research by the New Zealand Tertiary Education Commission. Pro-Chancellor of the National University of Samoa, Minister of education, Sports and Culture, Honorable To’omata Alapati Poese To’omata addressed the blissful occasion by commenting that Samoa would surely benefit greatly from this special relationship with the University of Otago. “Indeed, such an alliance is part of our University’s strategic plans to enable it to collaborate with some of the world’s best in Teaching, Learning and Research, and with the physical presence of Otago House on Lepapaigalagala campus, as we are witnessing here today, it is envisioned, that many more opportunities for academic collaboration will present themselves in the near future, to benefit both our Institutions,” says To’omata. To’omata also added as a testament to the aforementioned fact, NUS has already reaped the benefits of this friendship alliance in that two of its lecturers have completed their Masters in Environmental Science and History respectively. In addition, four more lecturers will complete their Masters in 2008 in the fields of Music, Geography, Computer Science and Tourism Management. This is on top of the ongoing professional development of staff in a number of key research areas in partnership with comparable personnel of Otago University. The ceremony was welcomed by Manager of the Pacific Island centre, University of Otago, Tofilau Nina Kirifi-Alai: “I welcome you all to bear witness to this exciting academic exercise between our two Universities which symbolizes the friendship between our two institutions.” Reverend Vavatau Taufao lead the opening prayer and added that the building stood as a incentive to strengthen and nourish our friendship with Otago University, as well as to fulfill our calling to share and use our advantages wisely. “I believe this house was built for an excellent purpose and I pray that we accomplish the goals set out by both institutes.” Vice-Chancellor of the University of Otago, Professor David Skegg, conveyed their delight and gratitude for the initiative and added that they are very proud of the relationship they have with the University here in Samoa. “This building alone stands as tangible evidence of the strong devotion both institutes have to the strengthening of higher education within the Pacific, it also serves as a symbol of our never ending strives for the betterment of our two institutes,” says Skegg. Let this building also serve as the symbol of our two Universities’ never ending strives for improvement and excellence, for the benefit of generations to come. “Only good can be derived by good intentions,” closing remarks by To’omata. Comments (0) Subscribe to this comment's feed Write comment Name Email Title Comment

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