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SINU graduates students in superb ceremony

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Three happy ladies with their well-deserved certificates.

By ELLISON.T.VAHI

1858 students graduated from Solomon Islands National University (SINU) yesterday in a massive ceremony.

This is the University’s sixth since it was established in 2012, with graduates receiving certificates, diplomas and degrees.

The ceremony was attended by the SINU Chancellor Hon Chief Justice Sir Albert Palmer, Attorney General – Guest of Honour/Speaker James Apaniai, Pro-Chancellor & Chairman of SINU Council Dr Culwick Togamana, Minister of Education (MEHRD) Hon John Dean Kuku, members of the SINU senior management team, diplomats, government officials and members of parliament, distinguished guests, staffs, students, graduates, their families and well-wishers.

Speaking during the ceremony, Guest of Honour Mr Apaniai congratulated the students and urged them to use the knowledge gained from the school to help in the growth of the economy, keeping leadership roles in community, families and the nation.

Three happy ladies with their well-deserved certificates.

“This day is your day. As a Guest of Honour/Speaker for the ceremony, it is my great pleasure to offer you my congratulations on this very special graduation day as you have demonstrated courage, hard work and dedication to your learning. Hence, that the result of your hard works will be awarded with a qualification that is recognised nationally and internationally.

“Sure enough, that your sponsors either private or SIG sponsored are experiencing the same feeling today.

“You and your parents, guardians, relatives and friends have made a lot of sacrifices to ensure that you get this far and I am sure that they also happy and excited to witness your graduation this morning, knowing that their efforts and hard work, as well as their contributions, have paid off.”

He encourages the graduates not to be satisfied with the achievements that they have attained as there is so much opportunity for higher and greater achievements and success that still lie ahead of them.

He added that the road to greater achievement and success is narrow and there are few who travel it however, he said that he believes that they can be among those few that travel that road.

In their word of thanks, Ms Winnie Ashley, the graduates’ representative conveyed their gratitude for the experience of a wonderful graduation ceremony.

She thanked all family members of all graduates for all the support that they have given to each of them in their own ways.

She said that it is their support that has always inspired them to overcome challenges and obstacles to get to where they are today.

“Having to leave the comfort homes, having survived the core of our exams, due dates of assignments, and the early morning bus trips through Honiara’s dusty roads and pot holes, I think we should be proud to have made it here in one piece,” she said.

The graduates were challenged to live a life of integrity and filled with moral values and to uphold the most important principle of SINU – Educate to Inspire.

SINU ambitious for improvement

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Medal recipients

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

TRANSITION of the Solomon Islands National University five years ago has availed 10 Bachelor Degree programmes additional to its certificate and diplomas.

Yesterday, 1858 students graduated from Certificate, Diploma and Degree programmes at the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) with remarkable results since its transition from SICHE.

Looking to the future, SINU is ambitious to improve the University to become a well recognised institution regionally and globally.

At the graduation ceremony, Acting Pro Vice Chancellor Basil Marasinghe said SINU now conducts 10 bachelor degree programmes and within the next 12 months, four to five more will be added.

In the latter part of 2016 and in early 2017 over 20 infrastructure projects costing over $250 million commenced, Mr Marasinghe said.

Medal recipients

Marasinghe said Solomon Islands Government, staffs and members of the community fully support SINU in its ambition to change the face of the University.

“While they agree that we have accomplished much, and that the university has significant momentum, they want us to attain even greater international prominence,” Marasinghe said.

He adds with their plans to developing SINU further, the country as a whole have shown tremendous willingness to help them achieve very high goals.

SINU’s overall goal, Marasinghe said they want SINU to become one of top 1000 universities in the world within the next five years – it is a realistic target.

Marasinghe explained SINU currently is operating under the stronghold of council members consisting of highly educated and experienced members including senior managers, academics and general staffs.

He also explained SINU can achieve its target because already they have set up a world-class fisheries complex, science teaching and research complex which will open in three months’ time.

Meanwhile, SINU thanked the SIG for continuous support including generosity from the KOICA, ROC, DFAT/Australia, WHO and UNDP.

AG shares inspires graduates with life story

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

COUNTRY’S Attorney General Mr James Apaniai has attributed his success in life to strong determination and mind in his field of law.

In the SINU’s graduation ceremony yesterday, Apaniai shared his life’s story with graduates to add further motivation for them.

He said 42 years ago in 1975; someone tried to derail his aspiration to become a lawyer when he was a form five student at St Joseph’s Tenaru.

At that time SIG offered three law scholarships, and there were 13 students from the three main high schools vying for them.

“As part of the selection process, we have to visit the office of the Attorney General and talk with boss himself who at that time was an Englishman.

“Two days later I was called by the school’s career master who told me that the AG had told the Overseas Training Unit (OTU now NTU) that I was not a suitable candidate for law.

“The Career Master said that OTU had suggested I change my first scholarship choice from law to another discipline. I refuse, I had my made my choice.

“In the end the OTU awarded me one of the three law scholarships.

“Today, I wish that AG was here for him to see me sitting in his chair and for me to remind him of the judgment he passed on me 42 years ago.”

To the graduating students and those to come after, the message in this story is that ‘people will look down on you and try to divert you from your destiny’.

“But the power to be what you want to be lies squarely on your shoulders,” he adds.

Apaniai encourages the young generation of Solomon Islands that God has given power to everyone, and he expects each to tap it in the face of adversity and discouragement.

“In my life’s journey, I have failed on many occasions in many areas.

“However, I have never regarded those failures as problem; I always regarded failures as challenges and part of the process towards success.”

Attorney General urges scholars to think higher

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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AG Mr James Apaniai (front) and Acting Pro Vice Chancellor Basil Marasinghe leaving the graduation ceremony area

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

AG Mr James Apaniai (front) and Acting Pro Vice Chancellor Basil Marasinghe leaving the graduation ceremony area

“AS I see you sitting down there ready to graduate, I see a nation graduating, I see Solomon Islands graduating and rising to new heights,” the country’s Attorney General said.

Attorney General Mr James Apaniai, as guest speaker for SINU’s 2018 graduation, says the graduating students of SINU this year are potential future leaders for Solomon Islands.

He was inspired to see a good number of Solomon Islanders graduating in the country’s own University with acquired unique knowledge and skills which the country needs for its development aspiration.

“I see the starting of a new revolution in your life, a resolution that does not end with what you have achieved but one that drives you to future and greater achievements,” Apaniai said.

He adds, achievement acquired now is a driving force towards students’ destiny and the destiny of Solomon Islands.

Apaniai encourages students to continue pressing on because this is just the beginning.

“Go higher, fly higher, put on the wings of eagle and fly above turbulences and storm comes your way,” Apaniai said.

“I am urging you to go further and obtain higher academic qualification than those of us who gone before you and always acknowledge God in your achievements and success.”

With the theme “Educate to Inspire” Acting Pro Vice Chancellor Basil Marasinghe said it is the duty of graduates to inspire changes and inspire the whole nation.

Inspiration can come from anywhere, he said.

Currently SINU is conducting research programmes leading to Masters and PhD.

From this year the University will be conducting a post graduate degree in Emergency Medicine, and the Senate has also approved a postgraduate programme in Health Leadership and Management.

Market vendors lauded for following time

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY MAVIS NSIHIMURA PODOKOLO

HONIARA Central Market (HCM) management yesterday conveyed their appreciation to vendors who comply with the new time laws of the market.

Mr Jimson Riunga said having them comply with the imposed by-laws of the council with regards to the closing time is a fine achievement as well as improvement for the market division and the country.

“Hence we would like to convey our appreciation to all vendors for compliance to this imposed by law.

“This indicates effective team work and respect for each other from vendors, consumers, general public and the market management.”

He adds, since after the closing time was introduced there hasn’t been any disorderly act towards the market reported to the management.

“Which is good and I call on the general public to maintain this kind of positive attitudes practiced within the market premises,” said Riunga.

Vehicle owners question Gov’t over roads

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

GIZO

VEHICLE owners in Gizo have questioned both provincial and national government over what they perceive as deliberate ignorance to the bad road conditions of the TC and Jah-mountain suburbs.

A Mr Dennis yesterday said the authorities have overlooked the deteriorating roads and “we have called on the responsible authorities to stop doing corrupt practices and improve the road status immediately.

“These roads fixed then it would be worthwhile for vehicle owners comply by paying up necessary fees.”

He explained that Gizo Town has been without proper road access especially to its surrounding suburbs for many years.

He added that the poor roads is taking its toll on their businesses, with most of their earnings going towards repairs.

He said vehicle owners understand the Act and rule of law.

Dennis calls on authorities to take into consideration their call.

Premier Wayne Maepioh said his government is aware of the town’s road conditions, and are working on improving the roads soon.

Preparation for implementation of health education underway

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Auki

PREPARATION is underway for the application of a MOU between MEHRD and MHMS on health environment for schools in the country.

In light of that, teachers from schools in the central region of Malaita will end a weeklong training today as they will go back and empower the schools with the knowledge.

National Health Promoting Schools Coordinator, Ms Fiona Laeta said the training is purposely to equip teachers with knowledge as they’ll become vocal persons to lead the health programme in their schools.

“So after the teachers will return from the training, the process is we expect them to set-up each health committees in their respective schools.

“The school committees will responsible to identify health pressing issues in their respective schools and develop action plan to work on them.

“The schools’ action plans will link with the provincial health committee as well as the provincial health promotions to look at issues under the action plan.

“From there they will set-up monitoring tools for each individual school and come up with plans to visits the schools after every six months to monitor the progress of the action plans,” she said.

Laeta said this is the process and if schools complete priority areas under their action plans they will move to other areas of health issues under the action.

She said in terms of resource, focus is not on donors, “we must look within our means on areas like parent’s contributions, school grants, wider community support, support from provinces and etc”.

Laeta said this will however come into play one of the main component of the health education programme which looks at community link.

She said the main idea behind the programme is to ensure healthy school environment for students and teachers.

“Within school environment it has students, teachers, classrooms and other areas that were very important to influence their health in a positive way.

“By doing that the environment must be healthy so that the students are healthy in their intake of knowledge,” Laeta said.

Gizo police conduct traffic check

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
Gizo Traffic Unit Sgt Allenia Timothy and his officer check vehicle license in front of the BSP Bank during traffic check in Gizo on Thursday

BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

GIZO

Gizo Traffic Unit Sgt Allenia Timothy and his officer check vehicle license in front of the BSP Bank during traffic check in Gizo on Thursday

GIZO Police traffic unit on Wednesday conducted a traffic check for road safety rules and public safety in Gizo, Western province.

Police checked vehicles which had valid licence, unlicensed drivers, speeding, plate numbers, lightings, tires, poor lights and other issues which make the vehicle un-roadworthy.

The check was conducted in front of the MSG building and opposite BSP bank yesterday.

Sergeant Allenia Timothy yesterday told Island Sun Gizo that about 80 percent of vehicles go through inspection process related to legal licence but the other 20 percent are still in process of having their licences checked.

“Some of the vehicles that did not have legal licenses have encouraged to re-new their license for proper road safety and rules.

“We saw that around 80 percent of vehicles had already completed their traffic cheek, while the other 20 percent have not doing their proper traffic rules check.

“I would like to call all drivers to go through proper traffic inspections with legal licenses process relate to traffic Act because seeing that yesterday’s traffic check, most drivers didn’t turn up.”

He said drivers are to ensure safety of the public as the first priority to avoid road accidents.

He said Gizo police traffic unit is committed to promoting traffic safety through education and enforcement.

He said Gizo traffic unit will continue to check drivers who are speeding, aggressively driving, or violating driving laws within Gizo town.

Drivers are encouraged to drive responsibly and Gizo police Traffic Unit will check licences next week.

Call to improve Gizo roads

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

GIZO

TAXI drivers and those who provide transport have called on responsible authorities to improve and develop the roads in Gizo, Western province.

A number of transport owners who provide services told Island Sun Gizo yesterday, the issue of improving road access in Gizo is frustrating and all are concerned about responsible authorities not working on a plan to improve roads.

They expressed their concern over the situation of road accesses within Gizo town not being properly improved.

“We expect responsible authorities to look seriously about the road condition currently affecting the people and we are not encouraging contractors who doing money making in Gizo.

“There are a lot of companies have quality machines that we expect to provide outstanding road works in Gizo but still nothing have improved.”

They explained that Western provincial government (MPG) have discussed this road issue during the Sine Die motion recently – that particular road work maintenance and construction is a very expensive exercise that involves millions of dollars.

A spokesman Andrew Koke said people do not understand why all the road works in Gizo is not fully meeting the right criteria and standard of what people expect.

He said people appeal and call on the government both provincial and national to look very seriously on this issue.

Young man travels by canoe from Gela to Honiara

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
Mr Robert Hahgesi with his canoe.

BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

Mr Robert Hahgesi with his canoe.

MR Robert Hahgesi of Central Islands made a remarkable journey.

He left his island home of Tinadary on Tuesday 8.13am and arrived on the shores of East Guadalcanal near $10 beach at 4.30am on Wednesday morning.

At first, the young man told his parents that he was going fishing.

Fishing he did, but after arriving at Madoleana island at 3pm and having collected coconuts he decided to paddle from the island to Honiara. And so, he did.

Hahgesi still reliving moments of the long journey said that as took off from the island there was no second thoughts as he paddled away.

Paddling as fast as he could because dawn was approaching, he expressed that by the time lights from the Honiara’s wharf area became more visible to him, he used the lights as his guide as he paddled towards Honiara.

“The trip was enjoyable and not one worry crossed my mind,” he said.

However, Hahgesi pointed out that there was only one unusual encounter he came across by the time he was halfway to the capital.

He said that by the time he was halfway to Honiara whales surrounded his canoe five times so he had to wait for them to leave before he continued the journey.

On the way, Hahgesi expressed that luckily the sky was clear and he kept on paddling until he reached an area not far from $10 beach around 4.30am on Wednesday.

Exhausted from the long trip he slept in his canoe before making his way to his home at Skyline when he woke up at 6am.

The young man said that back then, when he was at his home at Skyline, view of the open sea and Central Islands gave him the idea to make the journey.

And on April 10, 2018, he finally made that journey.

“I will make a second trip from Honiara to Gela, maybe next week,” he said.

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