Samoa's Prime Minister has ordered the Ombudsman to investigate the National University of Samoa.
Samoa Ombudsman Maiava Iulai Toma Photo: RNZ/Christine Rovoi
Cabinet last month suspended the university's Vice Chancellor and placed two of his deputies on special leave.
The suspensions followed complaints that some students graduated when they shouldn't have.
The Samoa Observer reported an internal investigation was initially approved by cabinet to be carried out by a committee recommended by the University Council.
But because some committee members were unavailable, the investigation has been referred to the Ombudsman .
Meanwhile, the chief executive of Samoa's qualifications authority, Letuimanu'asina Emma Kruse Va'ai, said interim staff were providing cover for the university's leadership.
"In the sense of continuity, there is an interim vice-chancellor now and the course and the programmes are continuing because we have the students as priority," she said.