Port-Vila, Vanuatu – 15 May 2023: Following the graduation of the National University of Vanuatu (NUV), the Prime Minister of the Republic of Vanuatu, Hon. Maau’koro Ishmael Kalsakau, saluted the efforts done by the NUV as well as the students.
“I salute the courage of the students to have chosen to enrol in university programs offered locally but with a bilingual and often plurilingual contents in English, French and other languages. I commend their efforts to have persevered in their studies despite the demise of the COVID-19 pandemic from 2020 to 2022; and their patience to wait to receive their internationally recognised qualifications. I also salute the efforts of our young National University of Vanuatu to grow its infrastructure, its faculties and schools, its staff and research capacity”, said the Prime Minister of Vanuatu.
In April 2023, 235 students graduated from the NUV with a Bachelor of Tourism and Hospitality, a Bachelor of Economic and Social Administration or a Master of Economics and Social Sciences. The Prime Minister was the guest speaker at the first ever graduation ceremony hosted by the NUV since its establishment in early 2020.
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Vanuatu, Hon. Ishmael Kalsakau, said “In 2020, the establishment of the National University of Vanuatu marked a milestone. I am very proud to take part to its first graduation ceremony for the Bachelors and Master run in partnership with overseas universities”. Responding to the call by the Vice-Chancellor for increased government support to grow the NUV, Prime Minister Maau’koro Ishmael Kalsakau said “Rest assured that I have heard the Vice-Chancellor’s call for more close assistance by the Government to its only national University. As Prime Minister, I will consult the Hon. Minister of Education and Training and his team to ensure that our highest institution of Teaching, Learning and Research or what I would call the “Knowledge and Scientific Pillar” of the nation (the National University of Vanuatu) receives the attention it deserves in resources to guarantee its growth and fulfilment of its mission for the benefits of our youth and nation!”.
Most of the partner universities were also present. Hon. Ishmael Kalsakau said “I also want to express my thanks to the partner universities working with the National University of Vanuatu and the team of academics. Thank you for your hard work and dedication to nurture new generation of leaders for our country”.
The development of NUV is aligned with the Vanuatu People’s Plan and the Vanuatu Education and Training Sector Strategic Plan. The focus of education and training under NUV and associated institutions are based on the priorities of the country’s National Human Resource Development Plan 2020-2030 (NHRDP).