Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Project on Improvement of Facilities for the NUS Faculty of Health Science（17 September, 2026）
2026/9/17
Ambassador H.E. Mr. Ryotaro Suzuki Delivering a Speech
Ambassador Suzuki, Prime Minister Laauli Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt, and other participants
Project site for the Improvement of Facilities at the Faculty of Health Science of the National University of Samoa
A groundbreaking ceremony for the Project on Improvement of Facilities for the National University of Samoa (NUS) Faculty of Health Science, funded under Japan’s Grant Aid, was held at the NUS campus.
The ceremony was attended by Hon. Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt, Prime Minister of Samoa, Cabinet Ministers, representatives of NUS, JICA, the design and construction companies, other stakeholders, and H.E. Mr. Ryotaro Suzuki, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Samoa.
The project is being implemented by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) under Japan’s Grant Aid, following the Exchange of Notes signed in February 2024, which provided grant assistance of up to JPY 2.401 billion (approximately WST 48 million). The project will provide new education facilities for the NUS Faculty of Health Science, including lecture rooms, a library, medical simulation and laboratory spaces, and a lecture theatre. These facilities will strengthen the learning environment and support the education and training of Samoa’s future healthcare professionals.
In his remarks, Ambassador Suzuki noted that Japan’s partnership with NUS dates back to support for the development of the Le Papaigalagala Campus in the 1990s, followed by grant aid for Samoa Polytechnic and JICA’s technical cooperation in technical and vocational education. He stated that the present project builds on this long-standing partnership.
Ambassador Suzuki also welcomed the project’s transition into the construction phase and expressed his expectations for its successful implementation and contribution to the development of Samoa’s future healthcare professionals.
The Government of Japan remains committed to supporting Samoa in the areas of health, education and human resource development.
The ceremony was attended by Hon. Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt, Prime Minister of Samoa, Cabinet Ministers, representatives of NUS, JICA, the design and construction companies, other stakeholders, and H.E. Mr. Ryotaro Suzuki, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Samoa.
The project is being implemented by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) under Japan’s Grant Aid, following the Exchange of Notes signed in February 2024, which provided grant assistance of up to JPY 2.401 billion (approximately WST 48 million). The project will provide new education facilities for the NUS Faculty of Health Science, including lecture rooms, a library, medical simulation and laboratory spaces, and a lecture theatre. These facilities will strengthen the learning environment and support the education and training of Samoa’s future healthcare professionals.
In his remarks, Ambassador Suzuki noted that Japan’s partnership with NUS dates back to support for the development of the Le Papaigalagala Campus in the 1990s, followed by grant aid for Samoa Polytechnic and JICA’s technical cooperation in technical and vocational education. He stated that the present project builds on this long-standing partnership.
Ambassador Suzuki also welcomed the project’s transition into the construction phase and expressed his expectations for its successful implementation and contribution to the development of Samoa’s future healthcare professionals.
The Government of Japan remains committed to supporting Samoa in the areas of health, education and human resource development.