A young civil and structural engineer is now utilising his knowledge and skills acquired under an Australian Awards Scholarship (AAS) to ensure his local community have the same infrastructure development to those in capital Honiara of Solomon Islands.
Jim Tawa Biliki received his Master of Engineering (Civil and Structural) testamur in early October while on site working on the Gizo Youth Centre project in Western Province.
He completed his studies at The University of Adelaide (UoA) in July 2024 under AAS.
His current employer JOGOS Construction, an engineering and construction services in the Western Solomons announced in early October that it was thrilled Jim had received his testamur – “marking a significant achievement in his professional journey.”
“Jim’s active involvement in our current Gizo Youth Centre project exemplifies the importance of having a workforce with strong qualifications in the civil and construction sector available within our provinces. As we continue our work towards completing the Youth Centre in Gizo, we acknowledge Australia’s ongoing commitment to the development of our youths through the prestigious Australia Awards.” JOGOS Construction posted on its Facebook page on 7th October.
Despite graduating in absentia due to project commitment Jim is committed to his desire to bridge the gap between infrastructure development of rural towns like Gizo and those in capital Honiara.
“My vision is to ensure that residents have access to the same infrastructure development opportunities often enjoyed in urban areas. By emphasizing local talent and resources, I aim to bridge the gap between urban and rural infrastructure services.”
Jim had encountered numerous challenges and opportunities throughout his education and career journey which fuelled his passion for structural engineering.
“As I continue this path, I remain dedicated to expanding my knowledge and skills in civil engineering, with the hope of contributing meaningfully to the development of my community and beyond.”
While working on the Gizo Youth Centre project, Jim also engages in small engineering projects through his business, Mendalin Civil/Structural Engineering.
“This venture allows me to apply the skills I’ve gained in Australia and provides opportunities that are often unavailable in the Solomon Islands. By focusing on local projects, I can contribute to infrastructure development in my community while utilizing the knowledge and experience I’ve acquired during my studies.”
Jim did part-time project management consulting services for construction firms in Solomon Islands whilst completing his masters in Adelaide.
He was also a Project Engineer for the 2023 Pacific Games National Hosting Authority (NHA) from 2021 to June 2022.
Why Adelaide?
Selecting his preferred masters’ program, university and city to study when applying for the prestigious Australian Awards Scholarship was an easy but an important choice he made.
“I chose to study at The University of Adelaide mainly because of its excellent teaching team, including world-class educators like Professor Scott Smith and Associate Professor Abdul Sheikh, whose work in finite element analysis I greatly admire. The opportunity to learn from such respected faculty was a significant factor in my decision.
“The study environment in Adelaide is also very appealing. The city has a relaxed pace that makes it easier for students to focus on their studies. My experience studying there has been fantastic; the city is very student-friendly, and the teachers are approachable and supportive, creating a positive learning atmosphere. Overall, the combination of a strong academic program and a welcoming environment made my choice to study at UoA an excellent one. “
With a growing population of 1.3 million, Adelaide City, the capita of South Australia was named the world’s most beautiful city in July 2024 by the renowned architectural and century-old American journal Architectural Digest.
Adelaide city is also ranked third most liveable city in the world and Number 1 in Australia, when measured across stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education and infrastructure. This is according to the Economist Intelligence Unit Global Liveability Index 2021.
The University of Adelaide where Jim completed his master’s is a member of The Group of Eight (Go8) which comprises Australia’s leading research-intensive universities. These are the University of Melbourne, the Australian National University, the University of Sydney, the University of Queensland, the University of Western Australia, the University of Adelaide, Monash University and UNSW Sydney.
It is ranked 7th of the top 10 best universities in Australia and 128th in the World University Rankings 2025 by the Times Higher Education Impact.
Back to where he started
Before this embarking on his Master of Engineering (Civil and Structural) in June 2022 at one of the top universities in Australia, Jim had attained a Bachelor of Civil Engineering (Honours) from Fiji National University (FNU).
He started his high school educational path at Gizo Secondary School, followed by Kukudu Adventist College and King George Sixth Secondary School. After completing secondary education, he did his Form 7 studies at the Betikama Adventist College.
He then gained admission to Papua New Guinea’s University of Technology for engineering foundation studies in 2016.
However, due to widespread student protests and a boycott, many students including Jim, returned to the Solomon Islands. This pivotal moment led him to transfer to Fiji National University, where he successfully completed his undergraduate degree in 2020.
Jim has roots in Western, Choiseul and Makira provinces and had spent much of his life in Gizo.
“My experiences during my bachelor’s degree inspired me to create opportunities for myself and others. During my studies, I faced challenges finding internship opportunities during the holidays, especially coming from the provinces. This motivated me to think creatively about my future,” he said.
He thanked the Australian Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Australian Awards SI Team and Australian High Commission in Honiara for the opportunity to study in Adelaide and gained knowledge and skills in engineering.
Jim’s employer JOGOS Construction also extended its gratitude to DFAT through the Australian High Commission, Solomon Islands, and the Australia Awards Solomon Islands team for their unwavering trust and support throughout Jim’s time in South Australia.
“Having qualified engineers has helped us evolved into a Design and Build company, offering comprehensive design, construction, and engineering services. In addition to our construction services, we offer geotechnical assessment services, utilizing DCP and SPT tests, as well as providing structural design for various infrastructures.
“At JOGOS Construction, we are all about legacy—creating lasting impacts that benefit our communities for generations to come. Our vision extends beyond building infrastructure; we aim to provide opportunities for our community’s youth, empowering them to play their part in the development of our province, and our nation.”
The Solomon Islands Wantok Association of South Australia (SIWASA) also congratulated Jim when farewelling him in July upon competition of his studies in Adelaide.
Meanwhile, there are currently three Solomon Islands students – all female, on Australian Awards Scholarships studying in Adelaide – two at Flinders University and one at The University of Adelaide.
