THE Solomon Islands National University (SINU) will give priority to areas which will directly impact the health and well-being of the Solomon islanders and also economy of the country and creating employment.
That was according to SINU Vice Chancellor Dr Glynn Galo when talking about the new developing programs.
In a statement on Thursday, Dr Galo said the SINU Senate has approved a number of new Diploma and Bachelor’s Degrees programs.
Dr Galo said he was happy that the SINU has been able to add new Diploma and Degree Programs while retaining all the Diploma and Bachelors Programs inherited from the Solomon Islands College of Higher Education (SICHE).
Three of the new Diploma Programs are in Tourism and Hospitality.
Dr Galo said that at the moment, Solomon Islands is not doing well as it should in Tourism and Hospitality industry.
One of the main reasons for this situation, he explained, is lack of qualified and competent professionals for the industry.
“I hoped the introduction of these courses will address this situation,” Dr Galo said.
Recently, SINU has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Ministry of External Affairs and External Trade to get support to its Institute of Tourism and Hospitality to develop Tourism and Hospitality Programs.
Diploma in Public Health Program was developed by the School of Nursing and Allied Health Services (SNAHS) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MH&MS).
This was done in accordance with Ministry of Health Strategic Plan (2011-2015) and National Nutrition and Healthy Lifestyle Plan 2007-2017.
The Bachelor’s Degree in Child Health Program Structure was developed by S NHAS in collaboration with the MH&MS and the Centre for International Child Health (CICH) based in Melbourne, Australia.
The statement added this course would model adaptation of evidence-based World Health Organization (WHO) materials to form a comprehensive broad based nursing training course.
Dr Galo said this program would be fully developed in the next 2-3 months.
The SNHAS hopes to commence it in the 2ndSemester 2016.
This would be the 3rd Bachelor’s Degree Program conducted by SNAHS in addition to its two Bachelor’s Degrees in Nursing and Midwifery.
Dr Galo added Accountancy has been identified as a high demand course in Solomon Islands and in every country.
“Therefore is a need for graduate accountants in Solomon Islands in order to function an economy effectively, the services of qualified and competent Accountants are paramount.
“Accountancy graduates can also find employment in other countries.”
Pro-Vice Chancellor, Professor Basil Marasinghe, who took a keen interest in developing new programs, said these new academic programs have been developed by the SINU academic staff with the assistance of experts within and outside Solomon Islands.
Professor Marasinghe further added a number of other Diploma and Bachelor’s Degree Programs are being currently developed by SINU academics.
Among them are Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Agriculture and Business and Entrepreneurship.
Development of Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) and Surveying will commence soon.
The Diploma Programs that are being developed include Diploma in Fisheries, Renewable Energy and Refrigeration and Air Conditioning which will be offered by the School of Technology and Maritime Studies.
These are the newly introduced programs:
Diploma Programs
1. Diploma in Tourism Studies
2. Diploma in Travels and Tours
3. Diploma in Hospitality Management
4. Diploma in Public Health (Nutrition and Dietetics)
Bachelor’s Degree Programs
1. Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting
2. Bachelor’s Degree in Child Health (Program Structure)
By LESLEY SANGA
