ACTING vice-chancellor of Solomon Islands National University, Professor Basil Marasinghe, says the tense situation at its three campuses is now calm after Monday’s protest.
Professor Marasinghe was appointed acting vice chancellor following the forced resignation of Dr Glynn Galo by protesting students.
“The SINU management regrets the disturbances caused by some student factions on 7th November 2016 at the Kukum Campus,” he said in a statement.
“The university would like to assure the general public, parents, guardians, fee payers and sponsors that the prevailing situation is calm in all the three campuses of SINU namely Kukum, Panatina and Ranadi,” he added.
“For continuity of leadership, directions and management of university affairs, Chairman of SINU Council has extended me as acting vice-chancellor until such a time the SINU Council meet to deliberate on the resignation of the incumbent vice chancellor.
“The university in fulfilling its mandated duties shall continue to ensure a peaceful learning and working environment is maintained in three campuses.”
Professor Mrasinghe also informed the students and valued clients that university business operations and services such as the Library, Kitchen, Campus Life Services, and Students Administration Services and all schools amongst others are operational as normal.
He added the university has put in place a range of security measures aimed at minimizing further disturbance.
Some of the measures are as follows:
- Members of the RSIPF will continue to have physical and visible security presence at the Panatina, Kukum and Ranadi campuses.
- here will be some restriction on entrance into Kukum and Panatina campus and students in particular may be requested to produce their Identity Cards. University reserves the right to entry to any persons.
“The university does not accept harassment of its staff and damages to its premises; and again any person will be held accountable for his/her own actions.
“Take further note that members of staff and students should not be intimidated, halted, or influenced from undertaking and performing their normal duties in ensuring that the University function normally as required.
“The University would like to further caution against acts of lawlessness.
“Persons who deemed to carry out unwanted activities will be held individually responsible for their actions.
“The SINU Council is working closely with the Solomon Islands Government and Senior Management of the University not only to monitor the situation but to also ensure that the image of the SINU is protected by all means from being tarnished by actions of a few individuals or factions.”
