Monash University GIG Programme Nov 2025: First Week’s Events

by Dwayne Mahimkar*

82 students from Monash University are currently residing in Samoa for two (2) weeks to better understand local life and its environmental impacts.

The 82 Melbourne-based students, accompanied by six (6) professors, are received by the students and staff of the University of the South Pacific’s (USP) Samoa Campus. These students come from diverse cultural backgrounds and are studying in different faculties such as Arts, Science, Business, Law, Health, and Education, to name a few.

These students and staff are part of a group termed as ‘Block 1’, and it is led by Dr Stephen Saunders, who is the In-country Coordinator of the Global Immersion Guarantee (GIG) Programme.

The delegation of 82 students and six professors set foot on the campus premises on the morning of 25^th November, and were given a traditional welcome by the USP Samoa Students’ Association by conducting the Ava Ceremony.

The students then began their learning journey through an introductory presentation conducted by the Samoa Campus Director, To’oto’oolea’ava Dr Fanaafi Aiono-Le Tagaloa, on Samoan culture and language.

To’oto’olea’ava Dr Fanaafi Aiono-Le Tagaloa giving a brief lesson on Samoan culture and language to the visiting students from Melbourne, Australia (Photo by; USP International Office)

More sessions were conducted on the first day of the programme, covering topics such as history, spirituality, and climate change.

The students then ventured around the capital of Apia, led by the ‘Buddies’ from USP Samoa Campus.

They visited popular sites and landmarks along the main Beach Road until their journey ended back at Lava Hotel, where the delegation is currently residing.

The following days saw many events held within and outside the campus premises, such as Local Insight Sessions, reflective sessions, and site visits around the Island of Upolu.

Some significant highlights include the students visiting the Scientific Research Organisation of Samoa (SROS) at Vailima on 27^th November 2025, where they toured through the different laboratories and research departments.

The visiting students and staff got to sample some of their products, particularly chocolates made out of locally grown Cacao Beans.

Students observing and listening to presentations by researchers inside the laboratories of SROS. (Photos by: Jennifer Teofilo).

Another highlight from the week was a session conducted by the Attorney General of Samoa, Suʻa Hellene Wallwork on 28^th November 2025.

She gave a presentation on Samoan politics and governance, highlighting key events of Samoa’s political history since its independence, the Parliamentary system, and the many key players involved.

Attorney General Su’a Hellene Wallwork is giving her presentation on Samoan politics.

The students then have to compile what they have observed and learnt during their stay in Samoa, with the guidance of the local mentors, and buddies of USP Samoa.

At the end of the second week, the students are required to present their findings in groups of six (6) in the presence of staff and students from both universities, and come up with possible solutions to solve these issues.

The GIG programme is an opportunity for students of Monash University to look at how local leaders address the human impact on the environment. It goes as far as seeing it at first-hand by travelling to these countries and experiencing these impacts, and how these students can make a difference.

Samoa is among the nine (9) destinations which are part of this initiative, alongside Fiji and Vanuatu in the Pacific region.

*Dwayne Mahimkar is a Second Year BA student in Communications and Media.