A group of civil engineering students from the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) yesterday got the opportunity to visit the Honiara International Airport improvement project at Henderson, East Honiara.
The excursion was part of applying the theory aspect of their studies into practical learning experience.
Armed with helmets and safety vests and students were able to visit the new connecting apron site and the new terminal.
Assisted by on-site engineers, JICA Consultant and the SINU Civil Engineering lecturer and others, while the students closely examined the structural details of the unfinished international departure terminal building and the new international connecting apron.
The engineers-in-training were able to see first-hand various concepts learned in the classroom in physical form and asked experts questions about field construction techniques.
One of the engineering students said the visit was very beneficial in which book theories were visualized on site.
Counsellor of the Embassy of Japan Norimasa Yoshida said it was a pleasure to be present with the students to visit the construction site.
“I am honoured to see all of you taking part in this activity. This is the first of its kind to any project funded under the Japanese Government’s Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) projects in Solomon Islands.
“Today’s (Tuesday’s) site visit as you may have already aware, it is for educational purposes and I would like each one of you to enjoy and learn as much as possible from the first handed experiences and information from different construction related officials that you will meet,” he said.
Representative of JICA Solomon Islands Office Motoyuki Uegaki said he believed studying at a desk is of course important for students to get academic knowledge of civil engineering.
“However, to make the knowledge more practical, its more useful for social and economic activity, you’d better observe and understand what’s going on in a real construction site.
“I’d like to believe that the site visit tour will make your knowledge of civil engineering more deepened and it can complement your knowledge which you have already acquired in the University,” he said.
Meanwhile, work on the project is making steady progress since work commenced early this year.
By FOLLET JOHN
Newsroom, Honiara
