The National University of Samoa (NUS) has scheduled its 32 remaining student examinations for December 16-18 — if the state of emergency is lifted in the middle of the month.

The examinations’ postponement has affected over 700 students, who were forced to stay home and the university shut, after the government declared a state of emergency last month in response to the measles outbreak.

Responding to queries by the Samoa Observer, the NUS Deputy Vice Chancellor, Peseta Dr Desmond Lee Hang said it is their understanding that the state of emergency will run for 30 days from November 16 to December 15.

“Hence we have prepared a series of contingency plans to mitigate any impacts on our work and on the academic progress of our students,” he said.

Peseta said in anticipation of the lifting of the state of emergency on December 16, the university is scheduled to hold its remaining 32 examinations from December 16-18.

But if the state of emergency is extended for another 30 days, he said: “The 32 NUS remaining exams will be rescheduled to the 16th, 17th and 20th of January 2020.”

On top of the university’s postponement of the examinations, graduation ceremonies including the 2019 foundation graduation were deferred indefinitely, much to the disappointment of the affected students. 

Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) graduates have also had their graduation ceremonies pushed back to April next year, as well as the university’s popular annual ball which has been put on the backburner by the National University of Samoa’s Student Association.

These precautions have all been taken for the safety of students and citizens alike, and to contain the spread of measles.

The students, who voiced their concerns in relation to the delayed examinations, say that they understand the gravity of the situation in Samoa, and will wait patiently should there be any changes to their examination schedule.