A Son of Savai'i earns Prestigious Scholarship

In a remarkable achievement for the small island nation of Samoa, a young man from Savai'i has been awarded a highly competitive Australia Awards Pacific Scholarship, paving the way for him to further his studies overseas.

Mr Alesana Alesana Ulusele, from the village of Faga, has emerged as one of the region's brightest talents, earning the opportunity to pursue an undergraduate degree in Commerce at the University of the South Pacific in Fiji.

Mr Ulusele's journey to this prestigious scholarship began with his Foundation year at the National University of Samoa (NUS), where he demonstrated exceptional dedication and resilience. A graduate of Tuasivi College, he initially found the transition to studying in Apia challenging.

“Meeting new people, being in a new environment, but also getting used to new ways of doing things were some of what I struggled with,” said Mr Ulusele. However, he quickly realised the importance of adapting to overcome these hurdles. “I knew that in order to survive and do well, I had to come out of my shell and adjust myself to meet these new challenges,” he added.

His determination paid off, and he now looks forward to embracing the next chapter of his academic journey in Fiji. Reflecting on his success, Mr Ulusele shared a heartfelt message: “Love opens many doors for success. Love your parents and those around you, and never forget to love God the Almighty.”`

Mr Ulusele is one of nine outstanding Pacific scholars awarded the Australia Awards Pacific Scholarship, which is funded by the Australian Government. The scholarship programme aims to support Samoa and the wider region in developing a highly skilled workforce. As part of the scholarship conditions, recipients are required to return to their home countries after completing their studies to contribute to their communities and nations.

 Applications for the 2026 intake are now open and will close on 30 April 2025. Interested candidates can find more information and apply via the official website: https://www.dfat.gov.au/people-to-people/australia-awards.

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By Tikilounge Productions & Creative New Zealand Toi Aotearoa
Arts & Culture Journalist Destiny Momoiseā