The University of the South Pacific’s (USP) Samoa Campus, in close collaboration with its dedicated staff and the International Office, recently welcomed students and staff from Macquarie University and the University of Newcastle for a comprehensive one-day Pacific Engagement Cultural Immersion Program (PECIP).
Led by Campus Director Dr Fanaafi Aiono-Le Tagaloa, the programme offered an immersive introduction to Samoan culture, history, and pressing regional issues.
The day commenced with a warm, traditional Ava welcome ceremony, setting a respectful and culturally rich tone for the visiting delegation. This was followed by a series of three insightful presentations designed to provide a foundational understanding for their wider itinerary in Samoa.
Dr Fanaafi Aiono-Le Tagaloa, Campus Director of USP Samoa, delivered two engaging sessions: “A History of the Pacific – Samoan History and Culture and Intersections with the World” and a practical “Samoan Language Lesson.” These presentations offered the participants valuable insights into Samoa’s rich heritage and facilitated basic communication skills.
Leota Yvette Kerslake from the Pacific Climate Change Centre (PCCC) at SPREP (Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme) provided a critical overview on “Climate Change – Samoa.” This session highlighted the significant environmental challenges facing the island nation and the broader Pacific region.
The PECIP’s primary objective was to provide a practical understanding of the local community and context, enabling the visitors to observe and track development projects, understand their implementation, and identify strategies for sustainable community engagement.
The delegation comprised five students and one staff member from Macquarie University, and 15 students and one staff member from the University of Newcastle.
Additionally, Outdoor Samoa provided valuable support for the off-campus programme and logistics.
The success of this Pacific Engagement Cultural Immersion Program underscores the strong collaborative spirit between the USP Samoa Campus and international institutions, reinforcing USP’s role as a vital hub for regional knowledge exchange and cultural immersion.
