BY BEN BILUA
Gizo
VICE Chancellor of Solomon Islands National University (SINU), Professor Transform Aqorau strongly emphasised that the country must begin investing more in human capital to improve its economic performance.
Speaking during his visit to the Western Provincial Government last week, Aqorau said greater attention must be on improving technical and vocational education across the country.
He said technical and vocational education is one of the best pathways towards building a sustainable and effective economic system.
Aqorau also said the country must now move towards a diversified economy that includes digital innovation and sustainable industries such as aquaculture, tourism and fisheries.
He said these sectors have the potential to attract investment and create employment opportunities for people in both urban and rural communities.
“All these can be achieved if we are to provide access to better education, especially in technical and vocational education,” Aqorau said.
He said the country’s economic system has remained largely unchanged since independence in 1978.
Aqorau said the economy continues to rely heavily on extractive industries such as logging and mining.
He described the industries as unsustainable and ineffective in driving long-term economic growth saying that both industries provide limited opportunities for local people when it comes to skilled employment.
“Most loggers and miners come with their technical employees, leaving unskilled jobs to locals.
“This is where investing in technical and vocational education is important,” Aqorau said.
He went on the say that local resource owners need be educated to help transform communities and return economic control to the people.
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