Samoa says Waikato good place to study
6 August 2010
From Samoa Observer
The decline in the number of Samoan students studying at the University of Waikato during the past few years has brought educators from the institution to Samoa.
They want to persuade students here to consider opportunities available in Hamilton, New Zealand. Hamilton is a beautiful part of New Zealand, representatives from Waikato campus Linda Te Aho, Associate Dean Faculty of Law and Brett Muir, International Marketing Manager of Waikato said.
Mr Brett said Waikato University is appropriate for students to study because of its location away from the crowded cities.
"The parents are always concerned with the larger centers where it easily distracts the students by what's happening," he said. "But Waikato is isolated away from the cities.
Graduates and friends of Waikato University.
Photo: Lanuola Tusani Tupufia.
It's close to Taupo, Rotorua and other places where students can study and explore the areas." The delegation visited some of the schools.
Mrs. Te Aho said they were looking at how they can help potential students in their pathway to their careers.
"Another way we found it would be great is to exchange students from Waikato who are Samoans to have work experience here and if they like it, it's another open door for them to their career," she said.
Vice Chancellor of the National University of Samoa Professor Asofou Leapai Soo, who is a graduate of Waikato, agrees that the environment is suitable for studies.
The Vice Chancellor attended Waikato in 1977 where he studied teaching. He later returned to study for a Bachelor of Art and Education and a Masters in Art. His experience in Hamilton was invaluable.
"It was not big like the other universities and there weren't that many Samoans," he remembered. Other respected Samoans who have studied at Waikato include the Minister of Finance Niko Lee Hang, Attorney General Aumua Ming Leung Wai and CEO of Digicel, Pepe Christian Fruean.
More than 30 graduates gathered at Borabora bar on Monday night to welcome the Waikato delegation.
About 90 per cent of the graduates were on scholarships and were grateful for the opportunities. The University offers courses ranging from Accounting and Finance, Computer Science, Information Technology, Human Resource Music literacy and more programmes for students to choose from.