14 Nov 2019

USP Samoa cancels graduation ceremony over measles

10:11 pm on 14 November 2019

The University of the South Pacific's campus in Samoa has cancelled its 2019 graduation ceremony because of the measles epidemic.

Posters warning about measles in Samoa.

Posters warning about measles in Samoa. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Jenny Meyer

The university's Joeli Veitayaki said the cancelation was per the directive of the government.

Professor Veitayaki said the university realised it would come as a disappointment to graduates, families and supporters but he said it was important that the institution did its part to prevent the spread of the disease.

The Samoa Observer reported Alafua Campus students had been invited to join the Fiji Laucala Campus ceremony next year.

Samoa's National University has also postponed its end of the year graduation.