Celebrating Australia’s Global Alumni Community

March 26, 2019

125

26 March, 2019. THE Australia Global Alumni community of Samoa gathered to celebrate their achievements, expand their professional networks, and share their tertiary and professional experiences at last night’s function held at Taumeasina Island Resort.

Australian High Commissioner, Her Excellency Ms Sara Moriarty, welcomed the guests, including the Head of State and Australia Awards alumnus, His Highness Tuimaleali’ifano Va’aletoa Sualauvi II.

Special guests also present were the keynote speaker Fa’aso’otauloa Sam Saili, CEO of SkyEye, the New Zealand High Commissioner, His Excellency Trevor Matheson as well as Austrade Trade Commissioner for the Pacific and Timor Leste, Mr Adrian Weeks. Many senior leaders and officials from across Government and the private sector were in attendance.

The evening was an opportunity for the alumni to network and hear of Fa’aso’otauloa’s experiences and thoughts on the value of tertiary education for the Samoan private sector. It was also an opportunity to welcome the representatives of 10 leading tertiary institutions from Australia, who are currently in Samoa as part of the annual Austrade Australia Future Unlimited Education Roadshow.

“The Austrade Education Roadshow is aimed to give prospective Samoan students a chance to meet face-to-face with the agents from these world-renowned tertiary institutions from around Australia,” H.E. Moriarty said.

“There are great synergies between what Australian universities can offer, and the needs identified by the Government of Samoa,”

“Far from being solely focussed on preparing students for entry into a limited number of professions such as medicine, engineering and law, these days Australian Universities are opening their doors to industry partners, seeking opportunities to collaborate and broaden the impact of their research to benefit Australia and the world.”

The Government of Australia invests approximately AUD$4.5 million each year towards scholarships in Samoa. Through its bilateral partnership with the Government of Samoa and collaborative partnership with New Zealand, there is a commitment to developing a skilled and knowledgeable workforce in Samoa, especially in key priority areas such as education, health, governance, economic growth, gender and disability.

“Australia continues to support the Government of Samoa’s vision in offering quality and continued education while enhancing our bilateral relationship and facilitating a range of professional networking activities between both countries,” said High Commissioner Sarah Moriarty.