BY JUNELYN KELLY

High Commissioner William Soaki has met with Solomon Islands medical students studying at the University of Papua New Guinea.

The meeting took place at the university’s Taurama Campus in Port Moresby on Saturday.

A statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade (MFAET) yesterday said the visit focused on students’ welfare, academic progress, and their future roles in strengthening the country’s health sector.

MFAET said Mr Soaki was accompanied by Second Secretary Gwen Halemaku and staff from the Solomon Islands High Commission.

Soaki has met with 15 students enrolled in medicine, pharmaceutical science and other health-related programmes.

MFAET said the group includes both undergraduate and postgraduate students on government scholarships, as well as privately sponsored students.

Soaki said the importance of the students’ studies to play a vital role in improving healthcare services in Solomon Islands.

He said their responsibility includes addressing medical challenges and saving lives.

Soaki said students were also given the opportunity to raise concerns and challenges they face while studying abroad.

In response, Soaki assured them of the High Commission’s continued support and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to their success.

He encouraged the students to remain disciplined, respect Papua New Guinea’s laws, and follow university regulations while striving for academic excellence.

Soaki also commended the Solomon Islands Medical Students Association for promoting unity and maintaining strong engagement with the High Commission through activities such as independence celebrations.

Photo credit: MFAET

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BY JUNELYN KELLY

The first group of young tourism entrepreneurs have officially signed grant agreements under a new partnership between the Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MCT) and the Young Entrepreneurs Council Solomon Islands (YECSI), marking a significant step in supporting local businesses.

In a press statement, YECSI confirmed that a total of 27 recipients forming the first cohort signed their agreements yesterday in Honiara.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by Director of the Tourism Division, Mr Gregory Auta’a, YECSI Vice Chairlady Mrs Esther Yates Pollard, along with members of the YECSI Secretariat and Board.

YECSI said the initiative funded for the 2025 cycle aims to support young entrepreneurs across the country in tourism-related sectors, including accommodation, food and beverage, entertainment, media, and hospitality services.

The recipients come from various provinces such as Choiseul, Western Province, Central Province, Isabel, Rennell & Bellona, Makira, and Malaita.

Speaking at the event, Director Auta’a highlighted the importance of accountability, urging recipients to use the funds for their intended purposes.

He said that the program reflects the Government’s commitment to empowering youth and strengthening the tourism sector.

Mrs. Pollard acknowledged the Government particularly the Ministry for delivering what she described as the first initiative of its kind for YECSI members.

She also paid tribute to former board members whose earlier efforts helped pave the way for the program.

She encourages recipients to view the grant as an opportunity to grow their businesses and transition into the formal economy, building on their passion and dedication.

Meanwhile, two businesses from Western Province, Ocean View and Titiuru Eco Lodge also received additional relief support to assist with damages caused by Cyclone Maila.

The second cohort of recipients is expected to sign their agreements today this week as well as the rollout of the program continues into the first quarter of the year.

Photo credit: YECSI

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By RODRICK DESURI 

Auki 

An Australian couple has supported Su’u National Secondary School in Malaita Province with 17 laptops.

The donation was made possible through the support of Mount Evelyn Christian School in Australia, and was handed over to Su’u School over the weekend.

The support will empower the future of the school.

Steven Olia, thanks and appreciates the Australian family for the timely donation of impactful equipment for the school.

He said the laptops will have an impact on the teachers and students of the school in terms of enhancing opportunities with improved digital tools. 

“We would like to sincerely express our heartfelt appreciation for the generous donation of equipment, which include a total of 17 laptops, 17 computer mice, and three external keyboards over the weekend.

“These resources will have a lasting impact on our community, greatly enhancing learning opportunities for both students and staff by providing us access to digital tools and educational materials,” he said.

He said the action displayed by the Australian couple shows kindness, generosity, and commitment to making a difference in the school.

“We are deeply grateful for your kindness, generosity, and commitment which it will make a difference,” he added.

Island Sun understands that these laptops will boost the learning environment of both students and teachers as they already have a computer lab at the school.

Photo credit: FOODS Photographer

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BY LORETTA B MANELE

Students deserve education that is globally relevant and excellent.

Solomon Islands National University (SINU) Vice Chancellor, Dr Transform Aqorau raised this earlier this month when he delivered the “New Academic Year Opening Address” at Panatina Campus.

He said they must raise the quality of education to meet global standards, pointing out that as we live in a connected world SINU graduates will not only be competing against each other but with graduates from Fiji, Australia and Asia.

“They deserve education that is globally relevant and excellent. That is why one of my top priorities has been academic reform and accreditation,” said Aqorau.

He said he is proud to say that SINU is on the verge of becoming an officially accredited, regulated university under our national framework.

Aqorau said with support from partners, they have reviewed and organised all their academic policies to align with international best practices.

He said they have begun a comprehensive review of all programmes to ensure that SINU qualification truly prepares students for success.

“Our ultimate goal is to become a self-accredited, accredited university in the future,” said Aqorau.

He highlighted that they are empowered to accredit their own programmes because they have proven their quality.

The Vice Chancellor said achieving such a status would be a landmark for an institution like SINU, signalling that our national university meets rigorous standards comparable to universities anywhere in the world.

He however said that accreditation is not about favour or prestige but rather, about accountability to their students in the sense of ensuring that when they hand someone a degree, it actually means that they have the skills and knowledge to excel.

“It is about making someone out of this competitive on the regional and global stage, so that a degree from SINU is held in high esteem throughout the Pacific and beyond,” he said.

Aqorau said this is how we keep our talented youths at home while also attracting international opportunity.

Moreover, he said quality education also means better education.

With this he put out the question.

“Are we teaching the subjects and skills that our country truly needs?”

Aqorau said in the past three years, they have taken steps to realign their programmes with national needs.

Giving one example, he said they have strengthened technical and vocational training by creating a dedicated technical and further education age division.

He said that not every young person will pursue an academic degree, nor should they have to.

Aqorau said trades, craftsmanship and vocational skills and practical professions be it in electricity or carpentry are critical for our economy and are honourable and needed professions to build our infrastructure and our economy.

He announced that SINU’s new Tech programme will empower youths with practical skills for immediate employment and entrepreneurship.

Aqorau said they also recognise the importance of innovation skills in the modern economy thus, with the support of UNDP, they are establishing an innovation hub on campus to nurture creativity, digital skills and start-up ideas among students.

He said they want to see the next successful Solomon Islands business ideas and social enterprises born from students’ ingenuity.

Aqorau furthered that by updating the university’s curriculum and expanding what it offers, SINU’s teaching will remain relevant to national development priorities and global trends.

He noted that graduates should not only find jobs, but should also be capable of creating jobs, leading enterprises and driving solutions far from easy.

Photo credit: Loretta B Manele

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By RODRICK DESURI 

Auki 

A Company Haus team from the Ministry of Commerce is currently in Malaita Province to hold business awareness on business registration for new businesses.

The awareness is mainly to provide clear knowledge and insights into the processes of registering a new business.

The team has held business awareness sessions in Malu’u, North Malaita, and Auki. They will be traveling to Atori in East Malaita on Friday, and afterwards to Afio in Small Malaita. 

According to one of the participants, Frank Samo Sari, the awareness training was very important for people interested in starting and owning a business in the future.

He said that by attending the awareness, they gained more knowledge on the processes and instructions, including charging fee amounts and charitable registration.

“The awareness clears all the processes and requirements for getting your business registered.

“They taught us about the processes of registration, the amounts of fees for each type of business, and charitable registration,” he said.

He added that this type of awareness training is needed for rural individuals who really want to venture into running a business.

“We have many individuals who want to venture into running a business, but they are residing in rural areas. This awareness training could be important for them,” he said.

He acknowledged that the team is reaching out to Malaita Province and going far into its regions.

Island Sun understands that after the awareness training, the Ministry of Commerce Auki branch will be operational for business registration and other services.

Photo credit: Frank Samo Sari

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By RODRICK DESURI 

Auki 

Maoa Secondary School in Malaita Province closed its classes yesterday after high tides surged into their classrooms.

School teacher, Nickson Nedea, said this is the first time for them to experience such high tides entering their classrooms.

“It might be because we have a low coastline, but this is what happens,” he said.

Nedea said they would need to have a retaining wall built to prevent tides from coming in.

He added that the situation will be worse for the school and the Maoa community in two to three years’ time.

Meanwhile, Nedea said the school has been working with the Solkai group and the Malaita Provincial Government to relocate the school inland to higher ground.

He said they have submitted their relocation proposal to the provincial government and the Solkai group.

“Firstly, due to these natural threats, we are planning to relocate the school inland. Secondly, we are waiting for our proposal to be approved in working closely with Solkai and the Malaita Provincial Government for the reclamation of the coastline and the building of a seawall,” he said.

The school is monitoring the situation, and they will resume their class lessons once the situation returns to normal.

Photo credit: Nickson Nedea

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BY LORETTA B MANELE

Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development ‘s (MALD) Livelihood Sector Committee has been working closely with national authorities and local partners to distribute essential food supplies primarily rice to communities who are greatly in need.

In a statement from MALD yesterday, Sipuru Rove, Chief Field Officer for Western Province and Chairman of the Provincial Disaster Operations Committee (P-DOC) Livelihood Sector Committee, said that several affected areas have already received assistance.

He said so far, they have carried out food distribution in Simbo, South West Ranongga, North Vella, and the Shortlands.

Rove said work is not yet complete as they are prioritising the “red zones”, areas that are severely affected by the recent Tropical Cyclone Maila.

MALD said initial damage assessments (IDA) remain ongoing, with red zones identified in Simbo, parts of Ranongga, northern Vella La Vella, and sections of the Shortlands.

The challenge is reaching all the affected communities due to limited transport options.

“One of our main challenges is the lack of reliable logistics to move food relief supplies.

“We have engaged available vessels, but they have operational limitations, and access to some communities remains difficult,” said Rove.

Another challenge MALD said the committee is facing is gathering timely and accurate data from communities to guide relief efforts.

As some areas are yet to report their situation, MAL said ensuring equitable distribution remains complex.

“I do not always have readily available disaster information, so I rely heavily on contacts within the communities and also our team’s assessments. While many have come forward, not all communities have reported in, and that makes it a challenge to ensure everyone is covered. However, we will still cover all affected areas,” said Rove.

MALD said despite these challenges, it is the feedback from affected communities that highlight the importance of the assistance being delivered.

A woman from Saevuke on Ranggo Island, Susan Liton spoke of how the food relief supplies have helped their communities and families.

“The food relief supplies have helped our communities and families. Our gardens were badly damaged by the cyclone, so this support is helping us feed our families while we begin replanting,” she said.

Meanwhile, Rove assures communities that efforts are ongoing to reach all affected areas.

He said they are doing everything possible to reach the communities and while there are challenges, they ask the communities to be patient as they continue on with assessments and in organising distribution.

MALD said the Livelihood Sector Committee operates as part of the National Disaster Operations Committee framework, and is chaired by the ministry’s committee members which include other relevant government ministries.

Also noted is that at the provincial level, the committee works through the P-DOC to implement national strategies, coordinate food security responses, and support rural livelihoods.

MALD said this integrated approach ensures that relief efforts are aligned, informed by data, and responsive to the needs of communities during times of emergencies.

The ministry’s assessment team is expected to continue with damage assessment and distribution of food relief in the coming weeks.

MALD said it is providing some chainsaws and tools to heavily affected communities to help with clearing of fallen trees and removal of debris caused by the TC Maila.

MALD also thanks communities for the support they have given to its field staff as they work together in recovery efforts.

Photo credit: MALD Press

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By RODRICK DESURI 

Auki 

The China-aided Auki Road Project is nearing the asphalting phase as the contractor focuses on the outlets of the drainage pathways in Auki town. 

This follows the completion of culverts, concrete drainage, retaining walls, shoulder retaining walls, embankment filling and subbase courses last month. 

According to a statement from the contractor, this month they will continue to complete the remaining works to the highest quality standards despite the rainy season and some delays in the local relocation works. 

Currently, they are undergoing active, steady construction featuring the rehabilitation of a 3.796-kilometre main road and 16 feeder roads. 

“The contractor is in the final preparation stages before the asphalt sealing begins. Once complete, Auki will boast high-quality, 50mm-thick pavement designed to serve our community for the next 10–20 years,” the statement said.

Last week, a shipment of gravel and other materials also arrived to help speed up the construction.

The arrival of these materials and machines will significantly boost the progress of the road rehabilitation project, ensuring that construction activities continue smoothly and efficiently.

In the meantime, a prime coat sample application also progressed along one of the feeder road sections at Fasitoro last week.

Completion of the Auki Road project will greatly improve road conditions within the project scope, making transportation safer and more convenient for residents, businesses, and commuters in Malaita Province.

The residents and workers have also expressed appreciation in seeing the progress of the project, with hope that it will improve the road network in the province and contribute to economic activities and development in the province.

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