Washington University group visits

By Joyetter Luamanu 29 August 2017, 12:00AM

A delegation from one of America’s top research Universities is in Samoa on a fact-finding mission. 

Leading the team is President of Washington State University, Kirk Schulz, who has also visited American Samoa and is looking at the similarities and differences between the two Samoas. 

“We came here to learn and not just about American Samoa but also Samoa, it’s my first time and once we get back we will work on a game plan on what is the next step.” 

The delegation met with Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sa’ilele Malielegaoi yesterday. He referred them to the National University of Samoa to meet with the officials and professors to discuss their plans. 

Schulz told the Samoa Observer it has been a successful mission so far. 

“We will have a subsequent visit in 6-7 months and I will bring back subject matter experts that can talk about partnership between Washington State University and Samoa.” 

Established in the 1980’s W.S.U. have a number of Samoan students.  

“We actively recruit students from American Samoa and given our long term relationship, I know the students from Samoa, will pretty much feel at home, in Washington. There are Samoan Communities in the area,” he said. 

What is so special about Washington State University? 

“We have world class program in agriculture, veterinary medicine, nursing, engineering and we have a lot of interests in the general Pacific Rim area. A lot of our students come from Seattle Washington, which is a very diverse growing city without a lot of technology, and that’s part of what we want to do, is not to serve just the State of Washington, but the whole Pacific Rim,” Schulz told the Samoa Observer. 

Dr Mary Jo Gonzales W.S.U. Vice President of Student Affairs says the opportunities for Samoa students enrolling with W.S.U. are promising. 

“We’ve just opened a brand new College of Medicine and the main objective is to serve world population and underserved populations in addition to college of pharmacy and nursing who again are nationally recognized. 

“We were able to visit the hospital yesterday and talking to one of a local graduate. 

“It really shows the vast and how far independent of Samoa has come in short amount of time since independent and so I’m looking forward to the future and having Samoa students coming over to Washington State University.” 

By Joyetter Luamanu 29 August 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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