NUS Recognizes Micro-Credentials as Formal Qualifications

Apia, Samoa – July 20th, 2023

The National University of Samoa (NUS) proudly acknowledges the academic achievements of our recent graduates on Friday, July 14, 2023.

Among the 203 students who graduated from the Second NUS Annual Graduation, 71 graduates successfully attained Certificates in Professional Development in micro-credentials delivered by the NUS Oloamanu Centre of Professional Development & Continuing Education. The first Cohort of Learners to pursue the NUS Micro credential Qualifications.

Professor Tuifuisa’a Patila Malua Amosa – NUS Vice-Chancellor & President emphasized that this is a significant milestone for the NUS Oloamanu Centre, as micro-credentials are now officially recognized as formal qualification.

The implementation of the Micro-Credential courses was made possible through the Bilateral Partnership between the NUS and the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), via the New Zealand High Commission in Apia, under the Manaaki In-Country Training scholarship FY 2022/23. The Partnership provided funding of WST99,960.00 (NZ$49,000) to the NUS to deliver 9 Micro credential short courses for registered PSET Providers and community-based trainers in Upolu and Savaii, with the overall goal to develop skills in their area of work; improve productivity within the workforce; and a step towards gaining a formal qualification.

The NZ High Commissioner to Samoa – His Excellency Dr. Trevor Matheson stated that these micro-credentials will effectively enhance the skills and knowledge of employees across all industries.

In her address, our NUS Vice-Chancellor, thanked the government of New Zealand through the High Commissioner, for their unwavering support in the advancement of education in Samoa. “NUS was privileged to be part of the growing friendship and mutual partnership with the NZAid Manaaki In-Country Training Scholarship Program united not just in our Shared Mission “to Provide Quality Practical Skills Training in line with human resources priorities of the nation and region, but also, in our common aspiration to “provide professional development to enhance teaching and learning.”

The 9 courses are:

Savaii

1. Transactional Communication Skills for PSET Educators
2. Basic Computing Skills for PSET Educators
3. Professional Report Writing for PSET Educators
4. Resource Packaging for Teaching and Learning

Upolu

1. Applied Training Skills
2. Research Skills and Methods
3. Course Design Skills for PSET Educator
4. Workplace Assessment for Apprenticeship Instructors
5. Kaizen Training

To celebrate this remarkable accomplishment and acknowledge the fruitful collaboration between NUS and the New Zealand government, a special ceremony was held at the NUS Fale where NZAid Manaaki Scholars Certificates were formally presented to the 71 graduates.