The Oceania University of Medicine Dean for Samoa and Asia-Pacific is calling it a day and will not reapply for his academic position.

In an exclusive interview with the Samoa Observer, Associate Professor Toleafoa Dr. Viali Lameko confirmed his exit from teaching following the expiry of his contract and indicated that he will run for public office in the next general election.

Taking a trip down memory lane, Toleafoa listed some of the highlights of his 14-year journey with the university with the international accreditation of O.U.M.  as a medical degree provider by PAASCU (Philippine’s Association for Accreditation of Schools, Colleges, and Universities) at the top of his list.

“This accreditation allows for E.C.F.M.G. (USA Education Commission for Foreign Graduates) and Australia Medical Council (A.M.C.) licensing bodies to recognise and accept our MD degree as valid,” said Toleafoa.

“The first accreditation was granted in 2010, while I was a lecturer, the second accreditation was undertaken in 2015 while I was the vice-chancellor, and the third one in 2020 while I was the dean.

“Another highlight for me was securing scholarships from O.U.M. for Samoan citizens to study MD (Doctor of Medicine) degree. O.U.M. is currently offering unlimited scholarships to Samoan citizens.”

Asked about some of the challenges he faced during his tenure, Toleafoa said one of them was trying to secure hospitals around the world that were willing to work with the O.U.M.

This according to Toleafoa was why O.U.M. take clinical students for teaching.

Another challenge was the re-accreditation (international standards) of the university.

“Because if we were not accredited by P.A.A.S.C.U., none of the graduates will be allowed to sit licensing exams in overseas countries, especially the U.S.A. Canada, and Australasia.

“Another challenge was managing academic staff scattered all over the world. This is because O.U.M. hires professors from any university to teach our courses.”

So what is the next chapter for Toleafoa? He said he was not going to reapply for his position as he has helped the university to develop and give it stability.

He indicated that he has begun the job hunt and applied for some positions and will begin interviews in June this year, though running for public office is also in the mix.

“I have applied to some jobs overseas, and starting to attend a few interviews, in June,” Toleafoa said. “But my ultimate goal is to run in the next general election, 2026, under my new matai title of Pule, from the village of Lotofaga, Safata, Pule Viali Lameko (Pule V Lameko).”

Associate Professor Toleafoa has been an independent advocate of public health issues in Samoa and was nominated for the Samoa Observer People of the Year in 2019.

Last year, he was appointed as an O.U.M., Associate Professor of Public Health and Epidemiology. Licensed to practice medicine in Samoa, Toleafoa is a member of both the Samoa Medical Association and the Samoa Medical Council. He had been a temporary advisor to both the Western Pacific branch of the World Health Organisation and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community on a number of health-related issues, such as obesity, public health law, and chronic diseases.

He holds the High Chief Title of Toleafoa from the village of Fasito’otai and the Oratory Chief Title of Manu-Falealili, from the village of Sapunaoa in the District of Falealili and Pule from Lotofaga Safata.