National University of Samoa Delegation Visits ASCC
By James Kneubuhl, ASCC Press Officer
Last week, the American Samoa Community College (ASCC) hosted a visit from five faculty and administrators from the National University of Samoa (NUS). The delegates spent the day familiarizing themselves with the College and its programs, and also meeting with ASCC students to inform them about educational opportunities available at NUS.
The visiting NUS team consisted of Faiana’ipupu Tanielu Aiafi, NUS Registrar; Faamoetauloa Dr. Wood Salele, Dean of Commerce and Senior Lecturer; Dawn Rasmussen, Head of Practical and Expressive Arts Department; Fulisia Pita-Uo Aiavao, Dean of Nursing & Health Science; and Shelly Burich, Student Representative, who holds a Diploma of Sports & Fitness Education.
Following an orientation at the College’s Land Grant facility, hosted by President Dr. Adele Satele-Galea’i and members of the ASCC administration, the NUS delegates spent the morning touring the main campus. During a student assembly at mid-day, members of the NUS team addressed the ASCC student body on the variety of programs offered at their school. NUS offers courses towards advanced degrees in the fields of Arts, Commerce, Education, Science, and Nursing, and could provide a viable alternative for American Samoan students who wish to continue their studies after graduating from the Territory’s high schools or ASCC.
"Graduates in American Samoa generally set their sites on colleges in Hawaii or on the U.S. mainland if they want to continue their education," said Dr. Satele-Galea’i. "But I know of many graduates from here who cannot pursue advanced degrees in the U.S. for various reasons, sometimes having to do with their finances, and other times having to do with their citizenship. NUS could provide a solution for students like these. Having spent time visiting the school, and having become familiar with its curriculum, I can attest to the quality of their programs."
The president continued, "Some students have expressed concern over whether U.S. colleges would recognize degrees or credits earned at NUS. I should clarify that articulation agreements between NUS and U.S. schools would vary in most cases, or in some cases may not exist at all. To stay on the safe side, students who definitely intend to complete their education in the U.S. should investigate thoroughly whether the college they wish to attend in the U.S. recognizes credits or degrees earned at a foreign institution. On the other hand, for students working towards the goal of earning a degree to find a job, most employers accept college credentials no matter where they originate, especially if these credentials come from an institution with a solid reputation."
During his talk before the student assembly, Faamoetauloa outlined additonal advantages for American Samoa students who choose to attend NUS. He explained that the school follows strict standards set forth by the New Zealand accreditation commission, and as a result, it has an excellent record of its graduates finding employment either at home or overseas. Moreover, he compared tuition rates between NUS and colleges in the United States, and explained that even though American Samoans would fall under the category of "international students" on the NUS tuition scale, they would still pay considerably less than they would at colleges in Hawaii or on the mainland.
Over the past few months, ASCC and NUS have made ongoing efforts to strengthen their ties. In fact, on the same day the colleges hosted the NUS delegates, John Ah Sue, ASCC Director of Administrative Services, visited the NUS campus in Apia, accompanied by ASCC Management Information Technology co-chair Ian Emmsley.
Further discussions between ASCC and NUS, as well as more exchange visits, will take place in the near future. For more information on NUS, visit their web page at: http://www.nus.edu.ws.