The National University of Samoa has shifted back to face-to-face enrollment after they had to resort online registration last year due to the Covid-19 lockdown.

The University confirmed that they have stopped the online registration as the green light has been given by the health authorities.

Since the commencement of the enrolment week on Monday 23 January, hundreds of students crowded the N.U.S. Gymnasium to register, some came with their parents or relatives.

Friday was the most crowded as it was the last day of enrolment and those who enrolled included foundation students, old and returning students as per normal procedure every year.

Last year, the N.U.S. postponed face-to-face registration and moved to online registration and hundreds of students took advantage of the opportunity offered by the university.

This also enabled Savai'i-based students to enrol at Salelologa without having the need to travel to Upolu.

Aiono Professor Alec Ekeroma who was the University's Vice Chancellor at the time and who is now the Health Director General, said it was the largest recorded number of Savai'i students enrolled in N.U.S.

"I say recorded because most students from Savai'i live in Upolu for education and they tend to put the Upolu address instead of their Savai'i one," he added.

The change marked the first time since the university's establishment in 1984 for students in Samoa to be given the option of registering in Savai’i. It meant Savai’i-based students were able to avoid the long queues, which has become a familiar sight every year at the start of the N.U.S. enrolment week. 

Meanwhile, the enrolment fee for Semester One has dropped by a massive 62.11 percent and has been praised by parents as it will assist families.

The University via a Facebook post informed students about the registration requirements including the enrolment fee of $122 compared to $322 last year.

For late enrolments, the penalty fee charge is $128.