PRESS RELEASE: The National University of Samoa Council is pleased to announce the appointment of NUS Associate Professor & Dean of the Faculty of Science -Tuifuisa’a Dr. Patila Malua Amosa as its first woman Vice-Chancellor.
This marks a new era for the continued development of NUS since its establishment in 1984 when Tuifuisa’a Dr. Patila Malua Amosa was one of the founding students.
Dr. Amosa has over 25 years of service and a wealth of experience in academic administration at NUS with her excellent track record in teaching and research; where she has been a member of various collaborations between NUS, regional and international partners as a researcher, consultant, project coordinator or both.
The new Vice-Chancellor has a high profile in research; particularly in the field of climate change with regard to impacts on aquatic systems, chemical and microbiological assessment of water resources in Samoa, and marine biogeochemistry, especially on leading acidification research at NUS.
She has also published quality journal articles, technical reports, book chapters, and conference papers to name a few and brought with her an innovative and entrepreneurial management style by collaborating on both local and international research projects that will build her staff capacity and procure resources for NUS through Edulink, PACENET Plus, PAS, SKI and much more.
She will also provide a strategic and solutions-oriented approach that will contribute to sustaining the University’s profile locally and internationally.
She is described as inclusive and collaborative and she has the confidence of her staff and peers as well as the communities that the university serves. She is also highly regarded by the NUS and education stakeholders.
Together with NUS staff, she aims to build a resilient and robust university that can address firstly the development challenges of Samoa.
To achieve that, she will concentrate on accelerating the recognition of NUS as a stable higher education institution in the Pacific. Key fields such as STEM, Climate Change and Law will feature in her next 3 years of tenure.
In response to national needs, she and her FOS team have developed and offered faculty programmes such as the Master of Science (MSc), Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Agriculture (BSc), BSc Secondary Teaching (Majors in Applied Computing & Sustainable Agriculture), Diploma in Sustainable Agriculture, Preliminary Cert. in Science, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management.
She is also an influential dual-sector advocate (both academic and TVET) who recognizes the value of delivering work and career-ready graduates.
Associate Professor Tuifuisa’a will commence her three-year tenure as the sixth vice-chancellor of the university and replaces Aiono Professor Alec Ekeroma who was appointed as the Director General for the Ministry of Health late last year.
In congratulating Vice Chancellor Tuifuisa’a, NUS Pro-Chancellor – Professor Letuimanu’asina Dr. Emma Kruse Vaai urged the new VC to be steadfast and innovative in taking the university to the next level to address the needs of Samoa and the Pacific Region.
