Niue is preparing for the graduation of a large cohort of University of the South Pacific students in October this year. The call for applications to graduate is now open until the end of the month says USP Niue Director Seone Lolesio.
An estimated 100 qualifications will be awarded on the day in what is just the second graduation ceremony in Niue.
An added excitement for the students knowing that the premier of Niue Dalton Tagelagi who is expected to take over as the 29th Chancellor of the university, will also be on stage when they receive their qualifications.
However, the appointment which traditionally starts at the beginning of July is still not made official. BCN news is still waiting for a response to the email sent to the secretariat of the USP Council and office of the Pro-Chancellor on when this announcement will be made.
The Acting Vice Chancellor and President of the university Dr Giulio Masasso Tu’ikolongahau Pāunga responded to an email from BCN news last week explaining that the announcement of the chancellor will be made from the office of the Pro-Chancellor and Chair of USP Council.
The USP Council was scheduled to meet this week, but there was no quorom.
Dr Pāunga says the priority right now is on COVID 19 response; “Currently our priority, trying to ensure that on-campus students and residential staff are taking serious preventative measures to mitigate the chances of contracting COVID 19 virus”.
The 28th Chancellor is President of Nauru Lionel Aingimea was the last to hold the role, his appointment was to have concluded on 30 June.
The role of USP Chancellor is rotated through the leaders of the 12 member countries of the university.