The National University of Samoa (N.U.S.) which educates close to 4000 students and employs 430 staff, has a much anticipated celebration in mind for its 40th anniversary next year.

The anniversary celebration was revealed by the Minister of Education, Sports and Culture, Seuula Ioane Tuuau during his remarks at the  N.U.S graduation ceremony.

Seuula highlighted the national university's journey and its' 39 years achievements throughout, especially its' budget which started from $5 when it was established, compared to the changes N.U.S managed to achieve along the way.

"On February 14th next year, we will reach the 40th year since the National University of Samoa was established. There were numerous challenges encountered along the way by the university since the start of its journey in 1984 to this day," he said.

"As most have already known, of its $5 budget there was which is now $29million. The university started with just one foundation programme or the UPY, 45 students and 20 staff. But this year 2023, there are now over 100 academic courses, 3,900 students and over 400 staff.

"Our small national university is incomparable to overseas universities and other universities in the Pacific which have bigger budgets; however, based on the 39 years of achievements by our university, God's love has been overwhelming."

The Minister also reminisced on the day and year he graduated in 2021 which he described as a day to remember God's grace upon him and his graduating class of that year.

He also acknowledged constituencies that have contributed to the education of young people from their districts through funding of scholarships under the $1 million tala District Development Project through their District Development Centers.

He also made reference to the improved quality of I.C.T. services and use of technology at the university to advance and empower skills and knowledge of students in using relevant technology for their studies and in the workplace.

This would support and ensure students successfully complete their programmes of study and contribute to the social economic livelihood of families, church, villages and Samoa, he explained.

The N.U.S was established in 1984 by an Act of Parliament. From its small beginnings (only 45 students started the University Preparatory Year), the National University of Samoa developed in leaps and bounds.

Fast forward to the 8th of March 2006 the National University of Samoa and the Samoa Polytechnic were merged to form the present institution. This was the culmination of merger plans for tertiary education which were enunciated by the Government of Samoa in 2001. Samoa Polytechnic was established in 1993 by an Act of the Fono as the successor to the Western Samoa Trade School, incorporating the Maritime Training School.

The NUS Act 2006 came into force on 1 June 2006 and on 10 November the Government of Japan officially handed the Government of Samoa the newly completed Institute of Technology campus. 

The new NUS, through the Institute of Technology, the Institute of Higher Education, the Centre for Samoan Studies and the Oloamanu Centre, provided over sixty academic, vocational and professional programmes including the Master of Samoan Studies. 

In March 2011 the Council approved the complete integration of the Institute of Technology and Institute of Higher Education. On 6 February 2014, the NUS Council approved the establishment of the former Oceania University of Medicine – Motootua Campus faculty, staff and students, as the Faculty of Medicine under the National University of Samoa. 

This was in accordance with a Cabinet directive for the establishment of a Faculty of Medicine under NUS after a lengthy consultative process on a viable option on the future of medical education in Samoa.

To align the university’s health sector programmes and resources, the Council approved the establishment of a Faculty of Health Sciences in 2017, comprising the School of Medicine, formerly known as the Faculty of Medicine and the School of Nursing and Health Science. 

Also in 2017 was the establishment of the School of Maritime Training as an independent unit at Mulinu’u Campus to serve the maritime training needs of Samoa whilst complying with international standards of maritime. 

The Campus was built with the assistance of the People’s Republic of China and is another milestone for the University. Given its coastal location the Campus also houses Marine Research and serves as a scientific research Centre.

Another development was the opening of the Office and Information Centre in Salelologa, Savaii to cater for students residing in Savaii. This has enabled us to hold classes in Savaii, allowing more students the accessibility to pursue further studies without having to relocate to Upolu.

In August 2019 the University’s Master of Development Studies programme was granted accreditation for five years by the International Accreditation Council for Global Development Studies and Research (IAC /EADI). 

The IAC/EADI is a leading European network in the field of development research and training with one of its goals to promote quality in research and education in development studies and the accreditation status indicates the quality of the University’s postgraduate programme.

Another development is the approval by Cabinet of the merger of the University’s School of Maritime Training and the Samoa Shipping Maritime Academy. This is to boost our seafarers knowledge and make better use of government resources. 

The Academy focuses on domestic vessels and the merge will allow seafarers access to the University’s programmes which have been endorsed by the International Maritime Organisation and enables them to work abroad. 

All these developments are part of the University’s ongoing efforts and commitment to the delivery of quality programmes which are pertinent and relevant to the human resource needs of Samoa.