AUT proud to host Sāmoan Head of State
Our Vice-Chancellor, Toeolesulusulu Professor Damon Salesa, was honoured to host His Highness Tuimaleali’ifano Va'aleto'a Sualauvi II, O le Ao o le Malo | Head of State of the Independent State of Sāmoa, Her Highness Masiofo Faamausili Leinafo Tuimaleali'ifano and delegation at AUT last Friday.
In his first visit to New Zealand since he assumed the role in 2017, His Highness met with students from the University, Sāmoa Public Service Commission Scholars including Sāmoan-New Zealanders, and Manaaki Scholarship students from Sāmoa.
Professor Salesa says the visit was a special time for everyone present, as well as being important for the University.
“It was an especially significant moment for our students to engage with His Highness, many of whom were grateful for, and moved by, the experience, connecting their homeland to their current programme of study.
“It was also important for the University. Both the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, along with other government and international partners, have come to appreciate the manaaki of AUT and now see us as a preferred partner in these events, which bolsters the University’s reputation, and presents all kinds of future opportunities,” Professor Salesa says.