title: Strengthening health research capacity from within Samoa.
abstract: This article reflects on the challenges of strengthening health research capacity from within Samoa. It examines the status of health research and related curricula in Samoa and discusses the outcomes of a new postgraduate applied social and health research methods course taught in Samoa for the first time from 5 January to 12 February 2010 by the Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago in collaboration with the Centre for Samoan Studies, National University of Samoa. The article argues that collaborative health research courses such as this methods paper can fill a curriculum gap in New Zealand and Samoa and contribute directly toward strengthening Samoa health research capacity in ways that benefit both Samoa and New Zealand. This initiative can be a flagship for strategies operating from within Samoa that can build real win-win type partnerships. These can be ably led by Samoans for the ultimate development of an affordable and sustainable quality health and education infrastructure for Samoa.
authors.affiliation: Centre for International Health, Department of Preventive and Social Medicine,University of Otago, based at National University of Samoa, Apia, Samoa. sailau.suaalii-sauni@otago.ac.nz
authors.forename: Tamasailau
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Suaalii-Sauni
authors.forename: Fulisia
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Aiavao
authors.forename: Eseta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Faafeu-Hope
authors.forename: Tai
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sopoaga
authors.forename: Charlotte
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Paul
authors.forename: Antoinette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Righarts
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McCool
authors.forename: Tofilau Nina
authors.initials: TN
authors.lastname: Kirifi-Alai
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.forename: Fonoti Lafitai I
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Fuatai
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000193:education* / Q000458:organization & administration; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003479:Curriculum; D003906:Developing Countries; D004500:Education, Graduate / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007373:Interinstitutional Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand; D036301:Qualitative Research; D018947:Samoa; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult