Hundreds of excited students visited The University of the South Pacific (USP) Savai’i Centre in Samoa on Friday, 23 August to explore the University’s academic programmes as they contemplated future career aspirations.
Over 70% of the schools on the island took advantage of the USP Open Day as an opportunity to engage and seek relevant advice about entry requirements, programmes, courses, and career pathways, as well as witness the unique way USP shapes the region’s future.
The proceedings were called to order by Susuga Lisone Tonumaipea, USP’s sole staff member at the Savaii Centre, who is stationed in the library and oversees the Centre and associated activities.
As usual in the Pacific, the event began with a devotion led by Reverend Livigisitone of the Methodist Church of Samoa, also the Director of Youth for the Church in Savai’i.
His message emphasised the need for unity to aid and contribute to the concerted effort required for “Shaping Pacific Futures”.
USP Samoa Campus Director Afioga Tootoooleaava, Dr Fanaafi Aiono Le-Tagaloa, while welcoming attendees to the Centre, emphasised the critical role of students as future leaders of Samoa and that of USP as the shaper of Pacific futures.
“You are h
ere to find your future; education is key to opening the door to a prosperous and fulfilling future.”
As she urged them to keep their eyes, ears and minds open for maximum information gained from engagement with staff at designated booths, the Campus Director also pointed out to the students their “Collec
tive embodiment of Samoa in all its honour and glory, by virtue of their Samoan genealogies and identity—rights innate and inalienable to them”.
As such, she added, they were charged with ensuring Samoa’s sustainable prosperity in years to come by wisely choosing the best options for further studies and future career dreams.
In promoting USP’s nature as a regional university and, vitally, its commitment to regionalism, the Open Day programme included fun-filled activities marked by a colourful array of cultural performances by various regional student associations based on the Samoa campus.
This emphasised the regional University as a hub of cross-cultural experiences in the Pacific.
Other highlights included various prizes, quizzes and a brief tour around the Centre before light refreshments and a vote of thanks offered by Dr Folototo Seve of the School of Finance, Accounting and Economics to mark the closure of another successful Open Day at USP-Savai’i Centre.
Accompanying the students were school principals, teachers, parents, partners and sponsors of USP, and members of the general public.
For most students, the Open Day was a pivotal moment to gain first-hand information to assist in their study pathways to future careers.
