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Quality Audit for NUS School of Maritime

Newsletter

IN THIS ISSUE:

CAS visits Upolu colleges Seven NFL recognised Professional Development success Board approves ARR NZ Prime Minister visits NUS

2 3 4 5 6

Jan – Mar 2018

Foreign Qualifications Recognition Service awareness

Principal Foreign Qualifications Officer, Fata Timothy Perefoti on

how to identify diploma mills

The development of the Foreign Qualifications Recognition

Service (FQRS) is a mandatory function of SQA in accordance to

its 2010 legislation. It assesses the foreign qualifications whether

they are authentic and recognised in the country of award. A

workshop to raise awareness on the Foreign Qualifications

Recognition Service (FQRS) review was held at the Development

Bank of Samoa conference room on Thursday, 22nd March 2018.

More than fifty participants from government agencies, public

enterprises and Post School Education and Training Providers

attended. The workshop follows a review of the FQRS service in

relation to issues raised in its initial awareness workshop.

Subsequent changes were made to the Guidelines and the In-house

Manual for the operation of the FQRS. The workshop highlighted

the changes and brought to the attention of the stakeholder the

importance of validating qualifications of people seeking

employment or further studies. Fraudulent qualifications from

diploma mills which is a criminal activity are now very much a

concern. The ease with which certificates of various kinds are

illegally created and duplicated with the use of technology is also

becoming a problem worldwide.

The review of the FQRS process saw two positive changes; the

reduction of service fee and the reduction of lead time for the

service. It is anticipated that the reduction of fees and lead time will

draw people to maximise the use of the service. An

important recommendation of the review FQRS was

SQA working together with the Samoa Immigration

Department, Ministry of Commerce Industry and

Labour (MCIL), PSET providers, Public Service

Commission (PSC) and other stakeholders to establish a

framework for collaboration in the granting of study

visas and work permits based on verification of

qualifications.

A Quality Audit is being undertaken by SQA for the National University of Samoa, School of

Maritime for the 6 programmes accredited in 2012. An initial panel meeting was held on

Wednesday 28th February 2018 to discuss important dates and associated documents and tasks

covered in the Quality Audit Training. Panel work continued with a site visit at NUS School of

Maritime, Mulinuu. Consolidating panel findings from the visit are in progress for:

NUS Certificate IV Maritime (Master Class V)

NUS Certificate III Maritime (Marine Engineering Class V)

NUS Certificate II Maritimes (Marine Engineering R2)

NUS Certificate III Maritime (Marine Engineering R1)

NUS Certificate II Maritime (Navigational R2)

NUS Certificate III Maritime (Navigational R1)

A Quality Audit helps to protect the interest of learners and stakeholders as well as identifying

opportunities for improvement. The panel is composed of industry representatives.

The Audit is expected to be completed in May and submitted to the Board for approval and the

NUS will be fully informed so that they are aware if the programmes consistently meet the SQA

Quality Standards.

Career Advisory Service visits Upolu colleges

The SQA Board at its meeting on Thursday 25th January 2018 approved

the registration of the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa

Vocational School (CCCSVS) in Savaii.

CCCSVS met all the relevant requirements for registration as a Formal

Post School Education and Training (PSET) provider in Samoa.

The newly registered provider was established in 2016. This vocational

school will provide further opportunities for secondary school leavers of

Savaii to continue their education and training with the view towards

gainful employment upon completion. Located in Salelologa Savaii, the

school offers three qualifications; Certificate of Sheet Metal and

Plumbing, Certificate of Carpentry and Joinery & Certificate of Computer

Studies. CCCSVS is also working towards incorporating National

Competency Standards into their programmes.

SQA congratulates the CCCS Vocational School for meeting the

criteria and requirements of the initial Provider Registration process!

Congregational Christian Church of Samoa Vocational School register

WINTEC visits

SQA A group of consultants from

the Waikato Institute of

Technology (WINTEC)

visited the Samoa

Qualifications Authority on

March 13th 2018.

They met with SQA

Management.

The group came to Samoa to

market the services they

offer and talk about the

different projects they had

done in various fields.

WINTEC is known for their

consultancy work in training,

industry engagement in

TVET and in Recognition of

Prior Learning (RPL) and

other areas. Recently they

conducted training for SQA

in National External

Moderation (NEM). The

NEM process enables SQA

to ensure that quality and

compliance to required

standards are met for all Post

School Education and

Training providers in Samoa.

The Career Advisory Service (CAS) is mandated by the SQA Act 2010; to promote links

and learning pathways between the school sector and the PSET sector and offer career

advisory services.

Secondary school students in year 12 and year 13 across Upolu were targeted for the

Career Advisory School Visit which started in March 2018.

The focus for this year was to provide information on Post School Education and Training

(PSET) and the importance of links to the choice of subjects studied at the secondary

schools. Students were also made aware of admission criteria for Post School Education

and Training as well as eligibility for international and local scholarships.

After the 28 colleges in Upolu are covered the team will then visit secondary schools in

Savai’i starting from May.

Participating in this year’s CAS School Visits team are the National University of Samoa

(NUS), Tesese Institute (TI), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), the NZ

High Commission and the Australian High Commission. NUS and TI discussed the

various programmes they offer, the entry requirements and learning pathways for

students.

Moreover, the MFAT, with the NZ and AUS High Commission representatives presented

information on scholarship opportunities as well as the challenges faced by students going

overseas.

The Congregational Christian Church of Samoa

Vocational School (CCCSVS) in Salelologa Savaii

Students from Lefaga College during the Career Advisory Service visit in the district

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Chief Executive Officers take oath The Samoa Qualifications Authority, Chief Executive Officer,

Letuimanu’asina Dr Emma Kruse Vaai was sworn in at the Tui Atua

Tupua Tamasese Efi Convention Center on 25th January 2018.

She was amongst eleven other government agencies CEOs that swore

an oath to work with honesty and commitment in serving the nation.

Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr Sailele Malielegaoi in his remarks

provided sage advice and encouraged the CEOs to “lead with honesty,

humility and respect”.

“As CEOs you are role models of change in your organisations,” said

the Prime Minister.

“You have been chosen to make a difference and take your

organisation to a new level. Performance is therefore vital to achieving

your targets. Do not be scared to make tough decisions, which will

benefit the nation.

“There is natural tendency to resist changes, particularly if the changes

will take people out of their comfort zones.

Letuimanu’asina Dr Emma Kruse Vaai, Pauli Prince Suhren,

Pulotu Lyndon Chu Ling and So’oalo Kuresa So’oalo

Seven Non Formal Learning activities recognised Seven Non Formal Learning activities from two Non Formal Education Providers

were recognised by the SQA Board at its meeting in February 2018.

The activities are from Pesega Dental Assisting School and NUS Oloamanu

Center for Professional Development and Continuing Education.

Name of

NFEP Name of Learning Activity

Date of

approval

Pesega Dental

Assisting

School

Dental Assisting Course 27th March

2018

NUS

Oloamanu

Centre for

Professional

Development

and

Continuing

Education

S900 Credit Management & Debt Recovery

S904 Ethics

S907 Writing Policies and Procedures for

New NGOs

S910 Corporate Social Responsibility

S913 Data Collection Analysis

S915 Business Strategy

22nd

February

2018

27th March

2018

Dr. George Spencer with his assistant at the

Pesega Dental clinic (photo by LDS website)

Updates on Providers The Assemblies of God in Samoa informed SQA regarding the merging of Ierusalema Fou

Theological Institute and Harvest Theological College on 8th January 2018.

The new school would be named the AOG in Samoa Theological College and will utilize the

facilities of the Ierusalema Fou Theological Institute in Savai’i. As a result, both providers will

be removed from the list of Registered Providers due to their new arrangement. SQA will work

together with them to achieve Provider Registration as required.

Hospitality and Community Health Institute Training (HCHIT Samoa) has been de-registered

due to non-compliance and failure to satisfy Quality Assurance standards. HCHIT Samoa was

not able to provide and comply with the prescribed criteria which would enable it to re-register

under the SQA Act 2010.

“But we will never deliver for the benefit of our

people if we dwell on decisions and do nothing.”

Government officials, diplomatic corps, families

and relatives of the CEOs were there to witness the

event.

Hospitality and Community

Health Institute Training Samoa

Professional Development success

and Hospitality launched

Record of Achievement Pilot

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Post School Education and Training providers selected to trial the Record

of Achievement (RoA) system were given training and awareness on the

processes and operations involved at the Elisa Hotel beginning of March.

RoA is a national record of all accredited and recognized learning

achievements from Formal and Non-Formal learning (NFL) activities. It

also lists the components of these achievements in terms of national

competencies, units/courses/modules and learning outcomes of

recognized learning activities.

The first session focused on the value and benefits of RoA which include

supporting lifelong learning, portability and transferability of learning in

terms of credit transfers.

During discussions, participants shared their concerns about the system

mainly on the confidentiality of the data. SQA reassured that security

measures will be in place for the RoA database which will be kept by SQA.

The training took the participants through the overall processes from

capturing learning achievements from providers, to storing the data at the

RoA database at SQA and the release of RoA document to learners.

Assistant Chief Executive Officer of Quality Assurance

(QA), Asiasiau Melesete Lino – Mariner and Principal

Quality Assurance Officer, Joyce Adam completed their

Graduate Certificate in Tertiary Education (Quality

Assurance) from the University of Melbourne Australia.

The course is designed to equip quality assurance

professionals with further knowledge and skills on QA

systems, approaches and challenges in tertiary education

contexts.

This was made possible through the SQA Professional

Development program. Asiasiau and Joyce started their

studies for the online course in January 2017 while still

working. The pair completed the course in January 2018

with their awards being conferred in April 2018.

Maposua Mose Asani, Asiasiau Melesete Lino – Mariner, Joyce Adams, Letuimanu’asina

Dr Emma Kruse Vaai and Taua Molia Taioalo

Although they were unable to attend their graduation SQA

celebrated their success. According to Joyce the studies have

broadened her understanding of the complex issues around

tertiary education and their quality assurance processes.

“The course has a big impact on the work I do in SQA,” she

said.

“I now have a better understanding of tertiary institutions and

the pressure to respond to new government regulations and

policy initiatives. It’s happening overseas and it can be applied

here in Samoa.”

Asiasiau and Ms. Adam thanked SQA Board for their support

and allowing them to undergo their studies.

The CEO commended the fine efforts from Asiasiau and

Joyce.

Qualification Assistant Chief Executive Officer, Taua

Molia Taioalo

National External

Moderation conducts

training SQA conducted a one-on-one training on

the National External Moderation of

Good Assessments and Moderation for

several PSET Providers.

National University of Samoa, Laumua o

Punaoa, Martin Hautus Institute of

Learning – Samoa, Congregational

Christian Church of Samoa Vocational

School (CCCSVS), Uesiliana Vocational

Centre and Don Bosco College

Vocational Technical Centre (DBCVTC)

participated. National External

Moderation ensures that a provider is

able to offer evidence that its

assessments are aligned with learning

objectives and can be held up to required

standards of fair assessment.

Further training will continue to be provided to

ensure a successful pilot for implementing the

Record of Achievement system.

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Registered Formal PSET Providers as of March 2018

1. Apia Harvest Centre Bible College

2. Australia Pacific Technical College

3. Congregational Christian Church of Samoa School of Fine Arts and Museum (CCCSSFAM)

4. Congregational Christian Church of Samoa Vocational School (CCCSVS)

5. Don Bosco College and Vocational Technical Centre

6. Don Bosco Technical Centre

7. Early Childhood Education Teachers Training Institute

8. Laumua o Punaoa Methodist Creative Tech Centre

9. Malua Bible School

10. Malua Theological College

11. Martin Hautus Institute of Learning - Samoa

12. Moamoa Theological College

13. National University of Samoa

14. Oceania University of Medicine

15. Pesega TVET Institute

16. Piula Theological College

17. Rhema Bible Training Centre South Pacific

18. Samoa Shipping Maritime Academy

19. Small Business Enterprise Centre

20. South Pacific Nazarene Theological College

21. Tesese Institute

22. Uesiliana Vocational Centre

23. University of the South Pacific

24. Vailima Fou Theological College

25. Worldwide Mission Training Centre

26. Youth with a Mission (YWAM)

Board grants Annual Registration Renewal The SQA Board granted approval of

Annual Renewal Registration for 21 Post

School Education and Training (PSET)

Providers for the period of January to

March 2018.

ARR process is mandated under the SQA

Act 2010, Part VI, and Section 18 (2) to

ensure continuous compliance of

registration of registered PSET Providers

with the Registration requirement.

The following PSET Providers have been

granted approval by the Board.

Listed but not registered Providers are Le

Univesite ole Amosa o Savavau and AOG

in Samoa Theological College.

Hospitality and Community Health

Institute Training (Samoa) is de-registered

due to non-compliance.

PSET Providers Date approved

by the Board

Congregational Christian Church of Samoa School of Fine Arts and Museum

(CCCSFAM)

25th January

2018

Don Bosco College and Vocational Technical Centre (DBCVTC)

Don Bosco Technical Centre (DBTC)

Laumua o Punaoa Methodist Technical Creative Centre (LoP MTCC)

Malua Bible Sschool (MBS)

Malua Theological College (MaTC)

Martin Hautus Institute of Learning Samoa (MHIL- Samoa)

National University of Samoa (NUS)

Oceania University of Medicine (OUM)

Piula Theological College (PTC)

Rhema Bible Training Center South Pacific (RBTCP)

South Pacific Nazarene Theological College (SPNTC)

Tesese Institute (TI)

Worldwide Mission Training Centre (WMTC)

Apia Harvest Centre Bible College (AHCBC)

22nd February

2018 Samoa Shipping Maritime Academy (SSMA)

University of the South Pacific (USP)

Vailima Fou Theological College (VFTC)

Youth with a Mission (YWAM)

Early Childhood Education Teachers Training Institute (ECETTI) 27th March

2018

Palauli I Sisifo College with CAS

team

Local plumbers at work RHEMA graduate students

One of the small business at

SBEC training

Programme Accreditation work continues

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The Prime Minister of New

Zealand, Jacinda Ardern made

history when she visited the National

University of Samoa (NUS) on 5th

March 2018.

In welcoming Ms. Ardern and her

delegation, NUS Vice Chancellor

Professor Fui Asofou So’o said

never before in the history of the

university had a New Zealand Prime

Minister visited their campus.

NZ Prime Minister Ms. Ardern was

in Samoa at the time for her first state

visit since becoming NZ Prime

Minister.

NUS welcomed the delegation in a

traditional ava ceremony. The

Minister of Education,

Solamalemalo Keneti Sio and

Minister of Communications and

Information Technology, Afamasaga

Rico Tupa’i, government officials

and diplomatic corps were there to

witness the traditional welcoming.

Programme accreditation development

for several Post School Education and

Training (PSET) Providers is still

underway. The process works towards

the overall structure of the programme

meeting the criteria and requirements for

programme accreditation by SQA.

SQA acknowledges the work from all

panel members and technical assistants

actively engaged to assist providers in

packaging their programmes for PA

process. Other programmes have been

submitted to the SQA Board for

approval.

These programmes to date include; NUS

Diploma Level V in Tourism and

DBCVTC Samoa Certificate I Trades

Foundation Skills.

The table shows the programmes that are

undergoing programme accreditation.

Provider Programme

Congregational Christian Church

of Samoa School of Fine Arts and

Museum (CCCSSFAM)

Certificate Level III of Fine Arts

Don Bosco College and

Vocational Technical Centre

(DBCVTC)

Samoa Certificate I Trades Foundation Skills

Don Bosco Technical Centre

(DBTC)

Certificate I Basic Trades and Vocational Skills

Certificate II in General Trade and Vocational Skills

Laumua o Punaoa Methodist

Creative Tech Centre (LoP

MTCC)

Certificate II in Automotive Engineering

Certificate II in Electrical Engineering

National University of Samoa

(NUS)

NUS Diploma in Radio Electronics (Level V)

NUS Certificate in Computer Operating (Level IV)

NUS Certificate Level IV in Tropical Horticulture

NUS Diploma in Business & Diploma in Tourism

NUS Diploma in Office Management

South Pacific Nazarene College Diploma in Theology (Level VI)

Uesiliana Vocational Centre

(UVC)

Certificate II in Automotive Engineering

Certificate II in Electrical Engineering

Vailima Fou Theological College

(VFTC)

Certificate Level I in Biblical Studies

Rhema Bible Training Center

South Pacific (RBTCSP)

Ministerial Diploma Level V

Spot the NZ Prime Minister at NUS

NUS students were also given an opportunity to ask Ms. Ardern questions in areas

of gender, climate change and youth in an open forum discussion. In his remarks at

the event, Professor So’o sought assistance from New Zealand for NUS students and

the campus.

Spot the NZ Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern in the photo with NUS students

Awareness on Reviewed Terms and Conditions of Employment SQA staff were made aware of the changes in the Reviewed Terms

and Conditions Employment (TCE) Manual in March before Easter

break.

The review was approved by the SQA Board at its meeting on 28th

March 2018. Corporate Service Division led by Maposua Mose

Asani conducted the awareness to ensure that all staff members are

fully aware of the changes, staff entitlements, Code of Ethics as well

as policies they need to abide by. Staff were also given the

opportunity to ask questions in areas they did not understand or

wished to comment on. One of the noted changes was the provision

of support for staff undertaking professional development through

distance learning while still working.

National Technical and Vocational Education and Training consultation

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ACEO for Corporate Service Division, Maposua Mose Asani

led the awareness session

A stakeholder consultation on the Draft National Technical and

Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Policy took place on 19th

March 2018 at the Development Bank of Samoa Conference Room.

SQA staff and Consultant Magele Mauiliu Magele had previously met

with TVET providers and students, donor partners, relevant

Government Ministries, and professional associations to gauge their

views on the current status and future policy direction of TVET in

Samoa.

More than 80 stakeholders attended and discussed issues and challenges

facing TVET in Samoa and the rationale for a National TVET Policy

focusing on; increased relevance and quality of training programme. It

also looked at improving; access and equity, training facilities and

safety, instructional leadership, teaching practice and industry

experience of trainers, coordination of TVET, financing of TVET and

internationalisation of PSET programmes.

Stakeholders agreed on the usefulness of the policy which would direct

improved access, relevance, quality assurance and the coordination of

TVET in Samoa. Moreover, TVET students would exit their education

and training with appropriate skills and competencies which match the

needs of the workplace or further studies. The National TVET Policy

was subsequently endorsed by the SQA Board in April and is now

Participants from several stakeholders attended the

consultation

The Inaugural Australia Future Unlimited Roadshow co-hosted by

Australian High Commission and SQA was held at the Elisa Hotel,

Sogi on the 13th March 2018.

The Roadshow targeted PSET Providers in Samoa and is an

opportunity to foster potential partnerships or pathways for PSET

sub sector.

Representatives from nine highly acclaimed Australian tertiary

institutions were in Samoa for the event. Australia offers a diverse

range of study options for international students, with more than

1,200 institutions and over 22,000 courses.

Each year Australia awards scholarships to Samoan students for

tertiary studies. The awards are tenable in Australia and Fiji via

online learning as well as on campus.

SQA CEO, Letuimanu’asina Dr Emma Kruse Vaai and Australia’s Deputy

High Commissioner, Amanda Jewell (PC: Australia High Commission)

submitted for Education Sector consideration

before tabling with Cabinet for final approval.

Implementation will start in the new financial year.

ACEO Lealiifano Easter Manila Silipa of SQA

Research, Policy and Planning Division

acknowledged the excellent support from TVET

stakeholders in contributing and developing the

policy. She was confident that the enthusiasm and

support will also be sustained for implementation.

Inaugural Australia Future Unlimited Roadshow

a

SQA Block

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SQA combined daily diligence with workshops and other positive activities during the period of January to March 2018.

NUS, MESC and SQA came together to offer thanksgiving and prayers for continued success and collaboration at its

annual Education Sector Prayer Service. The staff held a walkathon plus weekly healthy snacks to balance up their

work load and healthy living. SQA also welcomed two new recruits; Senior Qualifications Officer, David Fau Meredith

and Research, Policy and Planning Officer, Deborah Koon Wai. Finally, congratulations and best wishes to Fata

Timothy Komiti and his wife on their wedding celebration.

The National Orchestra of Samoa at the Education prayer service Perenise Stowers, Leali’ifano Easter Manila-Silipa and Afamasaga Dr

Karoline Afamasaga Fuata’i at the Education sector prayer service

SQA new recruits, David Fau Meredith and Deborah Koon Wai You CEO and team ready to start power-walk

The ladies at the back catching up with Mike and Henry Newlyweds Fata Timothy Perefoti Komiti with Mrs Norah Gafo Komiti

LEVEL 2, TATTE Building, Sogi

Telephone: +685 20976

Website: www.sqa.gov.ws

Email: sqa@sqa.gov.ws

P.O.BOX L851, Apia Samoa