BY CHRIS ALEX

The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) and the China Police Liaison Team (CPLT) collaborated with the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) to launch a comprehensive Digital Awareness and Cultural Exchange Programme.

With focus on cybersecurity education, artificial intelligence (AI) literacy, and cultural exchange, the programme launched at SINU aims to equip young people with essential skills to navigate the digital landscape safely.

Dean Foy, Director of the Department of Information and Communication Technology at SINU, emphasized the necessity of practical digital skills.

“Today’s youth must be prepared for the digital age. This programme provides them with the tools to protect themselves online,” he said.

Assistant Commissioner Simpson Pogeava of the RSIPF urges the audience to prioritize cybersecurity.

“Cybersecurity is no longer a distant concern, it is part of everyday life. Educating young people about online threats is critical,” he said.

The event featured a keynote address from CPLT Acting Commissioner Yang Jian, who provided insights into effective cybersecurity practices.

“Cybersecurity must become part of your daily routine,” he advised.

Superintendent Zhang Peng highlighted the challenges posed by AI, discussing how criminals exploit new technologies.

He encouraged participants to remain vigilant against scams.

An engaging hands-on exercise allowed students to create AI digital avatars, showcasing both the potential and pitfalls of emerging technologies.

The program also included a cultural segment, where CPLT Inspector Lin Jiamu demonstrated traditional Chinese tea art, inviting students to partake in the culturally enriching experience.

Additionally, practical self-defense techniques were showcased by CPLT Inspector Hao Siyuan, providing students with essential skills for safety on campus.

“It’s about empowering students to feel confident and secure,” he remarked during the demonstration.

The program concluded with participants expressing their appreciation for the blend of theory and practice, highlighting its significance for personal security and cultural understanding.

Many participants noted that the skills learned will not only protect their digital assets but also bolster their financial security and personal reputation.

Looking forward, SINU, RSIPF, and CPLT plan to continue their partnership, with the aim to host regular Digital Awareness and Cultural Exchange Programs that foster a safer and more resilient campus environment for all.

Photo: Supplied

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

The Leader of the Official Opposition and member of the Bills and Legislative Committee (BLC), Matthew Wale has raised the importance of dressing code especially for spouses of foreign service officers.

Wale says there needs to be training especially for the country’s foreign service officers or ambassadors, because “the way we dress could send different messages to people and most importantly our partners”.

Considering the importance of the matter, Wale asked the Ministry of Public Service, during the hearing of the Public Service Bill 2025 last week, to put in place training for spouses of the country’s ambassadors.

“We don’t know how to dress. I mean, to meet different protocols. And this basic kind of training is required for etiquette for different cultures.

“Different cultures handle protocols in a nuanced way. Sometimes our partners, our would-be partners, tell us where we’re at just by the way we dress.

“The way we handle the etiquette already betrays our lack of experience or our lack of competence in certain issues.

“So, these very basic trainings are needed especially for our ambassadors and their spouses,” he said.

The team from the Ministry of Public Service acknowledged the concern and assured to work with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade to look at a training for this important area.

They also assured to try and help IPAM in terms of this area, as they are the training institution responsible for training of public officers.

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 BY LORETTA B MANELE

Solomon Islands is strengthening its bilateral ties with Indonesia.

According to a press statement from the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (OPMC), Acting Prime Minister, Bradley Tovosia received a courtesy call last week from His Excellency Andriana Supandy, the non- resident ambassador of Indonesia at OPMC.

During the visit, Ambassador Supandy conveyed congratulations from the President of Indonesia to the Government and people of Solomon Islands for the successfully hosting the 54th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting.

Moreover, as stated, he highlighted the growing friendship between the two countries saying that more Solomon Islanders are now pursuing studies in Indonesia, particularly in agriculture and technology, which remain areas of strength in Indonesia’s leading universities.

Ambassador Supandy encourages more Solomon Islanders to take advantage of the educational opportunities that are available in Indonesia.

He also outlined several areas of cooperation which include a scoping mission to explore new opportunities as well as the possibility of expanding the visa exemption arrangement to cover ordinary passport holders.

The press statement also mentioned that the ambassador extended an invitation to Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele to deliver a keynote address at the Indonesia Sustainability Forum in October this year.

Acting Prime Minister Tovosia in response, conveyed the Solomon Islands Government’s appreciation for Indonesia’s support which includes construction of the Friendship Hall a key venue during the 2023 Pacific Games and host to recent conferences and for Indonesia’s provision of uniforms for the recent 54th Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Meeting.

He further expressed interest in the two countries strengthening cooperation in the fisheries sector for tilapia farming and seaweed development and welcomes the prospect of Indonesian telecommunications companies investing in Solomon Islands.

Ambassador Supandy also informed the Acting Prime Minister that three Memorandum of Understanding (MOUs) are currently under discussion for signing in the future and they cover education and health, policing and security, and women and youth empowerment.

Photo: OPMC

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BY CHRIS ALEX

Animal and plant health systems in Solomon Islands are set to improve with the help of Australia.

This was discussed among animal health experts at the “Livestock and Biosecurity Partnership Dialogue” last week at SINU in Honiara.

Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL), Dr Samson Viulu, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Australian Government for its partnership in holding this dialogue.

Spanning for a period of two weeks, the dialogue funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), brought together animal health experts from both national and regional backgrounds to explore innovative solutions tailored for resource-constrained communities.

The aim of this programme is to equip local agricultural officers with vital tools and knowledge to bolster food security and safeguard rural livelihoods.

Additionally, the dialogue featured a national stakeholder consultation, a regional workshop, and a national training workshop focused on portable diagnostic tools.

PS Viulu expressed that resilient animal and plant systems are vital to safeguard food security and livelihoods of people.

He stated that strengthening these systems is crucial for timely diagnosis and reporting of transboundary animal diseases and emerging risks.

Australia’s High Commissioner to the Solomon Islands, His Excellency Rod Hilton, said Australia is truly proud to share its world-class expertise in agriculture and biosecurity.

“This partnership reflects our commitment to building and protecting rural industries, supporting the livelihoods and food security of the vast majority of Solomon Islanders who live in rural areas,” he said.

This dialogue set the stage for experts from Agriculture Victoria to present their findings as well as updates on ongoing animal health surveillance by veterinarians and livestock officers.

It also facilitated knowledge exchange among animal health officers from Pacific Island Countries who shared their experiences and strategies on how to combat exotic diseases like the African Swine Fever.

Photo: SINU

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350 rural coastal communities in Malaita show interest in fisheries but lack support

By RODRICK DESURI

AUKI

About 350 rural coastal communities around Malaita Province are interested to venture into farming fisheries resources but the challenge is the lack of financial support.

Auki-based Senior Fisheries Officer Mathew Isihanua said many coastal communities and entrepreneurs have shown interest and are requesting training, but there is no available funding to meet these requests.

He stressed that activities such as the deployment of FADs, tilapia farming, and value-adding to fish products have also been requested by other coastal communities.

On his part, due to the lack of financial support, reaching out to coastal communities has become a problem for him.

“We have 350 coastal communities that have requested training, but logistics are costly to reach them.

“My latest training was at Waimarau and Harumou in post-harvest and fish bottling, for which I had to fund my trip and the initiative,” he explained.

Isihanua mentioned that he has knowledge and skills and even has his own kits to use during any fisheries training.

He appeals to the provincial and national governments to seek and allocate funds for activities such as seaweed farming, aquaculture farming, post-harvesting, and fish bottling.

“I think, both provincial and national government should allocate more funds to these activities. These are their felt needs faced in their daily lives,” he said.

Fisheries supports food security through nutritious, accessible protein and drives economic growth, provides employment, generates income, and fosters social well-being by sustaining coastal and rural communities.

Additionally, it contributes to economic development through revenue collection for the province and national government.

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BY RODRICK DESURI

AUKI

The Usunione tilapia farmers in southern Malaita are celebrating a major win after harvesting from their one-year-old tilapia pond on Wednesday, September 24, 2025.

This milestone has sparked strong motivation among farmers to expand their tilapia farming efforts, with many nearby communities and villages also showing keen interest in starting their own ponds.

Senior Fisheries Officer, Mathew Isihanua shared the excitement, saying the farmers are proud to see their hard work pay off with bigger, healthier fish and a productive harvest.

“They are very happy and grateful to see their pond producing more tilapia, which are bigger in size and healthier.

“This success has encouraged them to build more ponds and continue farming, which is a promising way to generate income and provide nutritious food for their families,” he said.

After harvesting, the farmers transfer the smaller tilapia fingerlings into newly prepared ponds while selling the larger fish to the local market.

The Usunione group, formed last year by 20 young men with support from the former Ministry of Finance and Treasury IT Officer, started farming Mozambique tilapia after receiving fingerlings from a farmer in Small Malaita.

Looking ahead, Isihanua noted that the farmers are eager to gain more skills and knowledge in tilapia farming, especially when the country will import a new species, Nile Tilapia.

“Their goal is to have many ponds in the future and improve their farming techniques while preparing for the arrival of Nile Tilapia,” he said.

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