National University of Samoa Joins the Global Smart Education Network (GSENet)

Apia, Samoa | July 2026 – The National University of Samoa (NUS) is proud to announce its admission as a member of the Global Smart Education Network (GSENet), a distinguished international alliance dedicated to advancing smart education, educational innovation and lifelong learning through research, policy development, capacity building and technology-enabled learning.

Founded in 2022 by the Smart Learning Institute of Beijing Normal University (SLIBNU), GSENet was established in partnership with leading international organizations, including the UNESCO Institute for Information Technologies in Education (UNESCO IITE), the Commonwealth of Learning (COL), the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO), and the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO). The network serves as a global platform that brings together universities, international organizations and educational institutions committed to advancing smart education through collaboration, research, policy development and capacity building.

As the only UNESCO Category 1 institute with a global mandate for information and communication technologies in education, UNESCO IITE plays a pivotal role within GSENet, contributing international expertise in digital transformation, educational innovation and the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) through technology-enabled learning.

GSENet’s vision is to “network with the best for promoting smart education for all” by creating a collaborative platform that leverages smart learning technologies to enhance educational excellence and innovation worldwide.

A Strategic Partnership for Samoa and the Pacific

NUS’s membership represents a significant milestone not only for the University but also for the wider Pacific region. Through participation in GSENet, NUS will gain access to a diverse network of national, regional and international partners with expertise in education, technology and development. Membership creates opportunities for collaborative research, knowledge exchange, resource sharing, professional development and participation in global initiatives focused on transforming teaching and learning through emerging technologies.

For GSENet, the inclusion of NUS strengthens the network’s representation of Small Island Developing States and the Pacific region. NUS brings valuable expertise in addressing educational challenges and opportunities in geographically dispersed island contexts, contributing unique perspectives on digital inclusion, resilience, lifelong learning and culturally responsive approaches to educational technology.

Vice Chancellor Invited to Join UNESCO IITE International Advisory Board

Further underscoring the growing international recognition of NUS, Professor Tuifuisa’a Patila Malua Amosa, Vice Chancellor and President of the National University of Samoa, has been invited to serve on the International Advisory Board of UNESCO IITE.

The invitation reflects Professor Amosa’s leadership in higher education and acknowledges the importance of Pacific perspectives in shaping global conversations on digital transformation, technology-enabled learning and educational innovation. His participation will help ensure that the experiences, priorities and aspirations of Pacific Island nations are represented within an international forum dedicated to advancing the effective use of technology in education.

Leading the Pacific Chapter of the Global Smart Education Report

Further highlighting NUS’s growing international profile, the University has been entrusted with preparing the Pacific regional contribution to the forthcoming report, Smart Education in the Pacific: Regional Pathways, Small-State Systems, and a National Case Study of Samoa. The report forms part of GSENet’s ongoing efforts to generate knowledge, research and policy recommendations to support the advancement of smart education globally.

The project is led by Professor Ioana Chan Mow of the National University of Samoa, who with fellow NUS Computer Science lecturer Agnes Wong Soon have been engaged to conduct regional research, collect and analyse relevant data and literature, and prepare the final report.

The Pacific chapter will showcase regional developments, challenges, opportunities and innovative practices in digital and smart education across Pacific Island countries. It is expected to provide important insights into how small-state education systems are leveraging technology to improve educational access, quality and lifelong learning opportunities.

The completed report will be launched at the forthcoming GSENet Conference in September, bringing Pacific voices and experiences to an international audience of policymakers, educators, researchers and technology leaders.

The National University of Samoa is honoured to join GSENet and looks forward to contributing actively to the network’s mission of promoting smart education for all. Through this partnership, NUS will expand opportunities for international collaboration, research excellence and innovation while ensuring that Pacific knowledge, experiences and priorities are represented in global discussions on the future of education.

As education systems worldwide continue to adapt to rapid technological change, this partnership positions NUS as an important Pacific contributor to international efforts aimed at creating inclusive, innovative and sustainable learning environments that leave no one behind.

ENDS