Two officers with the Samoa Audit Office (SAO) have been awarded scholarships to study for their master's degree in government auditing at the Nanjing Audit University.

Paula Tumua, the Audit Director of the MPPA Unit and Angel Kwan, the Senior Executive Assistant with the SPCS Unit, were selected to undertake their studies in China.

According to a statement issued by the SAO Ms. Tumua already left for Nanjing in August 2023 while Ms. Kwan is preparing to leave soon for China. Their selection marks a milestone for SAO as they become the seventh and eighth nominees to participate in the program. 

Their selection reflects not only their dedication and commitment to their roles within SAO but also their potential to contribute to the field of auditing on an international scale, stated a press release issued by the office.

"We extend our warmest congratulations to Ms. Paula Tumua and Ms. Angel Kwan for their well-deserved scholarships," reads the statement uploaded to the SAO website. "As they embark on this exciting academic journey, we are confident that their experience and knowledge gained at NAU will not only enrich their knowledge but also enhance SAO's capabilities upon their return. 

"We wish them every success in their studies and eagerly anticipate their contributions to our office. We express our sincere gratitude to the Government of the People's Republic of China, the China National Audit Office (CNAO), and to NAU for their invaluable support in making these scholarships possible. 

"This partnership continues to strengthen, fostering international cooperation in auditing, and promoting the professional growth of SAO's staff. We are truly thankful for this collaboration and the opportunity it offers.

"Paula and Angel's journey to Nanjing is a testament to SAO's commitment to excellence and continuous learning. We eagerly anticipate the knowledge and expertise they will bring back to enhance our audit practices and contribute to Samoa's development." 

According to the Chinese university's website, Nanjing Audit University (NAU) was established in 1983 and is the only full-time undergraduate institute in China and abroad that carries “Audit” in its name and is one of the birthplaces of audit higher education in China.

In 2011, it was granted as the first batch of authorized units of master's degree in auditing and was granted as the authorized unit of master's degree (academic degree) in 2013. In 2021, NAU became listed among the newly added doctorate degree conferring units by China's National Ministry of Education.