University of South Pacific Savaii Centre Expo 2016, a success

The University of the South Pacific (USP) successfully held a Savaii Careers Expo at the USP Savaii Centre in Samoa on 5-6 August, 2016.

The general response from students and members of the public was excitement and satisfaction when during presentations, they learnt that Savaii now has access to University studies and students need not leave their homes to travel to the main island of Upolu.

Chief Guest was the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development, Afioga Fuimapoao Naea Beth Onesemo-Tuilaepa, who encouraged youths to use the opportunity offered by USP to carry out their studies.

She said they were fortunate as students of this day and age to be able to study while staying with their parents in Savaii, have state-of-the art facilities and mainly, the support of their families nearby.

Her concluding remarks centred around anticipating partnerships with the University whereby USP and the ministry can look forward to promoting youth empowerment.

For most students and members of the community in Savaii, attending the USP Alafua campus Open Day is quite difficult, thus the initiative to take USP out and what it offers to Savaii.

The two-day event included the offering of Success @ USP with facilitators from the School of Agriculture, represented by the Head of School and Senior Lecturer Dr Diarra, Campus Director representing CCE, IT Services Team, Student Administrative Services, Campus Life, Finance, College of Foundation Studies and the Library.

Students and members of the community appreciated the presentations that informed them of the support services provided by USP while studying from a distance and how to use these services effectively.

On the second day, the USP Savaii Centre was crowded with students, teachers, parents, and other visitors from the Government offices and the business community in Savaii to witness the event.

A wonderful addition to the opening ceremony was the presentation of the Rotary of Samoa Scholarship to one of the Savaii Centre students - Gataiolefanuafou Tonumaipe’a. The scholarship was presented by Board member of Rotary Samoa, Ms Ronna Lee Hadfield who is USP’s CFS Coordinator. The scholarship included payment for course materials and tuition fees for this semester. This certainly created excitement in the crowd and encouraged the students of Savaii.
After a rousing rendition of a Fijian dance by four Savaii students, the event continued with visits to various booths that were set up to demonstrate the services and facilities offered by the University to its students in Savaii.

Displays and demonstrations ranged from FSTE - Biology microscopic demonstrations to the Animal Science exhibition, College of Foundation offerings, Vocational and Continuing Education, Pacific TAFE, viewing of LIVE Satellite classes and general enquiries and a display by the USPSA executive.

The event was thoroughly enjoyed by the students and it certainly set off a great vibe of activities and promotion for the University as the USP Alafua campus gears up for its Open Day on 19 August, 2016.

   
Source:
Press Release