NEWSPAGE 11 February
2011

(Photo: Statistics New Zealand)

NEW ZEALAND: 2011 Census: ‘You Count’

(Photo: Samoa Government)

SAMOA: Parliamentary Updates
Source: Government Press Secretariat Press Release

Appointment of General Manager for the National Kidney Foundation

Cabinet has approved the reappointment of Mulipola Roger Hazelman as General Manager for the National Kindey Foundation (NKF) for the next three years.

This position was advertised for public interest, and four applications were received. The applications were reviewed and all four were shortlisted for interviews.

After thorough discussions by the panel, Mulipola was recommended as the most favourable candidate. According to a report by the panel, they had found Mulipola as a very experienced candidate for the position and had also satisfied all selection criteria.

Mulipola graduated at the University of the South Pacific with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics in 1988. He worked with the Ministry of Finance from 1988 - 1992, then with the Samoa Land Corporation from 1992 - 2006. He was first appointed as General Manager of the NKF at Motootua in 2008.


Patients approved for treatment in New Zealand

Cabinet has approved the referral of eight patients for intensive medical treatment in New Zealand.

Treatments for these patients with life threatening or seriously debilitating conditions are unavailable in Samoa.

The patients are all adults between the ages of 43 and 73. There are four males and four females. Three of the patients have cardiac problems and the rest of the patients suffer from other various diseases.

This Government-funded programme continues in order to help the citizens who are in need of these special treatments.


Samoa to sign contract for National Broadband Highway

Cabinet has approved the signing of a contract with the Huawei Technologies Co Ltd. from China for the establishment of the National Broadband Highway project.

Government’s focus is to enhance communication and internet services for the whole country.

A Project Management Unit will also be established to monitor the project to ensure that the implementation process coincides with the plan. This Management Unit will also operate and manage the project.

Hon. Minister of Communication and Information Technology, Safuneituuga Paaga Neri will be signing the contract on behalf of the Government and the people of Samoa.
 

(Photo: J. Kneubuhl)

AMERICAN SAMOA: WASC reaffirms full ASCC accreditation
Source: American Samoa Community College Press Release

After two years of diligent effort to satisfy the stated criteria of the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC), a division of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), the American Samoa Community College (ASCC) has received confirmation of its success. In a letter dated January 31st of this year from ACCJC President Dr. Barbara Beno, ASCC is listed among institutions now removed from the “Warning” category, and whose accreditation has been reaffirmed. “We expect to receive follow-up communications from ACCJC/WASC pertaining to our individual institution and what steps they recommend we take to remain in good standing,” said ASCC Accreditation Liaison Officer Dr. Kathleen Kolhoff-Belle. “For the moment, our inclusion on the list of institutions removed from ‘Warning’ status and with reaffirmed accreditation means that all of our efforts over the last two years have given us the results we hoped for.”

In February 2009 the ACCJC/WASC Commission informed ASCC that it had been placed on probation pending the resolution of issues raised in ten recommendations by an October 2008 visiting team, as well as one additional recommendation by the Commission itself. During this probationary period, the College’s accreditation provisionally remained in full effect, while teams of ASCC administrators and faculty worked to address the ACCJC/WASC recommendations. ACCJC/WASC representatives made two follow-up visits in March and October 2010, and on both occasions the visiting teams remarked that ASCC had made progress ahead of the previously established timetable for addressing the recommendations. At the conclusion of the November visit, representative Dr. Mark Zacovic told an ASCC audience that based on his team’s findings the College had “successfully completed addressing all recommendations”, although the official change in its status would come from the ACCJC/WASC Commission scheduled to meet in January.

Having received the good news from the Commission, the many ASCC administrators, administrative support staff, faculty, students and community members who dedicated themselves to addressing the ACCJC/WASC recommendations now share a feeling of celebratory satisfaction. “This bears testimony to what we can accomplish working together,” said ASCC President Dr. Seth Galea’i. “This process gave us an opportunity to clarify our focus as an institution, and to reaffirm the importance of adopting best practices based on data-driven standards as articulated by the Accrediting Commission. With our accreditation issues now resolved, we can return our attention to priority projects such as our four-year Teacher Education degree, which is now poised to move ahead at full speed.”

In addition to everyone at ASCC who worked for the better part of two years on the ACCJC/WASC recommendations, President Galea’i gave special recognition to Governor Togiola Tulafono for his assistance during this period. “The Governor kept tabs on our progress and offered his help in any way he could,” said the President, “while at the same time giving us the latitude to make our own decisions.” President Galea’i also commended the Board of Higher Education and chairman Uta Dr. Laloulu Tagoilelagi for their leadership and support, and thanked the Fono leadership, specifically Legislator Lemapu Talo, chairman of the Education Committee, for attending all meetings between the Board and the visiting ACCJC/WASC teams.

Work to address the ACCJC/WASC recommendations progressed even while the College underwent a period of unprecedented change and growth. “Many recent developments took place at the same time,” President Galea’i reflected. “Our enrollment peaks over the past few semesters indicated a greater demand for what ASCC offers, so we expanded our curriculum to include our first night classes. Also, our Trades & Technology Division opened its Apprenticeship and Re-Train programs to assist workers displaced by the cannery closures. ARRA funding has enabled us to make plans for modern learning technology such as ‘smart classrooms’ and campus-wide Wi-Fi. We initiated a number of energy saving measures, such as our first solar panels for part of the campus. Even with the ACCJC/WASC challenge now behind us, we have many new developments to focus on, but I’m sure the insights we gained from the accreditation-related process will prove invaluable as we move ahead.”

Photo Caption: ASCC President Dr. Seth Galea'i (front, center) is seen here with his Advisory
Council during their regular weekly meeting. ASCC recently received word from the ACCJC/WASC Commission that it is now removed from "Warning" status with full accreditation re-affirmed.
(Front Row L-R): Vice President of Administrative Services/Finance Mikaele Etuale; Dr. Galea'i; Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs Dr. Kathleen Kolhoff-Belle.
(Back Row L-R): Chief Financial Officer Emey Silfafau; Land Grant/Community & Naural Resources Director Dr. Dan Aga; Office of Institutional Effectiveness Director Rosevonne Pato.
 

(Photo: Global Greengrants Fund)

COOK ISLANDS: Honours awarded to two Cook Islands properties
Source: losangeles.broadwayworld.com

Cook Islands Tourism Corporation is proud to announce that not one, but two Cook Islands properties have been honored in the Ninth Annual TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Awards in both the Luxury and Romance categories.

From the main island of Rarotonga, the Little Polynesian has been voted one of the Top 10 Resorts for Romance in the South Pacific. "We are thrilled to win this highly sought-after award from TripAdvisor. Little Polynesian has been catering to international guests seeking a romantic South Pacific experience for the last 30 years, and we are very pleased to be recognized for this fact on a global scale", said Te Tika Mataiapo - Dorice Reid, Managing Director of the Little Polynesian. Known for its traditional architecture, attention to detail and world-class surroundings, the Little Polynesian boutique hotel exudes romance from every angle.

From the idyllic island of Aitutaki, Pacific Resort Aitutaki has been voted one of the Top 10 Luxury Resorts in the South Pacific as well as the Top 10 Resorts for Romance in the South Pacific. "We are absolutely delighted and honored to receive these prestigious awards", said Greg Stanaway, chief executive officer for Pacific Resort Hotel Group - Cook Islands. "We are thankful to Michael Shah, Resort General Manager, and his team for underpinning the excellence of what is today known as one of the World's Leading Island Resorts. Pacific Resort Aitutaki will continue to build on its high standards in all the areas that awarded us this great recognition."

Unlike any other hotel honors in the world, TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice winners are based on the millions of real and unbiased reviews from travelers on TripAdvisor.com--one of the most trusted sources of travel advice in the world.

Cause for further celebration for the Cook Islands is Air New Zealand's announcement earlier this month that it will operate direct services between Sydney and the Cook Islands from July 2011, making it the only airline to operate direct services between the two nations. Flights will operate once a week from July 4, 2011 until March 2014. In addition, North American travelers can visit the Cook Islands aboard the once-weekly nonstop flight from Los Angeles to Rarotonga on Air New Zealand.

Photo Caption: Managing Director of the Little Polynesian, Te Tika Mataiapo (Dorice Reid).
 

(Photo: Fiji Times)

FIJI: This time will not return: students told
Source: Fiji Times

Four secondary schools in Labasa have each received an assortment of library books and musical instruments from the Indian High Commissioner, Vinod Kumar.

Mr Kumar visited the North in a trip organized by the Vanua Levu Sanatan Council.

He presented the gifts to Labasa College, Shiri Gurunanak Khalsa Secondary School, Labasa Sangam College and Bulileka College.

Mr Kumar encouraged the students to work hard.

"Devote your time to studies and learn from elders," he told students of Labasa College.

"Soon you will be completing studies, entering tertiary institutions and joining the workforce.

"Work hard because this time is not coming back."

Labasa College principal Vinod Naicker said he was thankful for the assistance which he said "will help ensure proper development of the students".

"This assistance will definitely boost students' morale." Students who performed cultural items during the delegation's visit were presented Certificates of Appreciation.

Photo Caption: Krishna Kumar, wife of Indian High Commissioner Vinod Kumar with some of the gifts the high commission gave to four Labasa high schools. Labasa College principal Vinod Naicker receives the gifts on behalf of the school.
 

(Photos: Samoa Rugby Union)

WORLDWIDE: Samoa to play against New Zealand and Australia IRB Pacific Rugby Cup
Source: Samoa Rugby Union Press Release

This year marks the beginning of a new thrilling era for the Pacific Rugby Cup with Super Rugby Provinces of the Brumbies, Waratahs, Reds, Chiefs, Hurricanes, and Crusaders as opposing teams against Samoa, Tonga and Fiji for the very first time.

A format highly praised by Samoa A’s Head Coach Fepuleai Selefuti, adding it’s an opportunity for the players to test themselves against future stars of Australia and New Zealand.

“This is an issue that I was waiting for to happen, for local PRC players to be given the chance to have many quality games for the players, because I believe the more games on this level the more exposure for the boys to learn from it”

It is indeed splendid news for Samoa; however, Coach Fepuleai is mindful of his team’s first time players. “This year’s PRC team is that most of the players this will be their first international debut, but the management is currently working on the mental preparations, and I am confident that they will be doing well”

Fepuleai added, Pacific Rugby Cup is more than a tournament for the local players “I mean, this is the pathway to the Manu Samoa team, so the players must prove themselves to the management that they are capable to achieve the next step, and that is to wear the blue jersey”

The development tournament kicks off on February the 19^th with 3 rounds of matches to be held in Australia, 3 in New Zealand, and an all Pacific Island Series to culminate the 2011 PRC Tournament to be held in Fiji.

Samoa A Management includes, Head Coach Fepuleai Selefuti Patu, Paepae Stan Toomalatai Assistant Coach, David Edgar Trainer, Kate Seadon Physiotherapist, and Fuimaono Titimaea Tafua Technical Advisor.

Below is Samoa A’s schedule: