The Chair and Pro Chancellor of the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) Council, Dr. Morgan Wairiu has announced the appointment of two highly respected academics and administrators to key leadership roles at the National University.
Following a Council meeting held on Monday, 14th October 2024, Dr. Eric Katovai has been appointed as the Pro Vice Chancellor (Academic), and Dr. William Parairato as the Pro Vice Chancellor (Corporate).
Dr. Morgan Wairiu emphasised the significance of these appointments for the future direction of SINU, stating: “The appointments of Dr. Katovai and Dr. Parairato reflect the University’s commitment to achieving international recognition through academic and corporate reforms. Their leadership will be instrumental in helping SINU meet its goals for academic excellence and institutional growth.”
Dr. Eric Katovai, who has been acting in the position of Pro Vice Chancellor (Academic) since June last year, now takes up the role substantively.
Dr. Morgan Wairiu expressed his confidence in Dr. Katovai’s ability to lead the University’s academic division, praising his contributions to research, academic development, and his role in advancing the Faculty of Science and Technology.
Meanwhile, Dr. William Parairato has been appointed as Pro Vice Chancellor (Corporate), replacing Shadrach Fanega, who previously served in this role.
Dr. Wairiu acknowledged Mr. Fanega’s valuable service, saying, “Shadrach Fanega has been a dedicated member of the SINU Council and a strong leader in his role as Pro Vice Chancellor (Corporate).
His contributions to the growth and development of SINU are greatly appreciated, and we wish him continued success in his future endeavours.”
Dr. Eric Katovai is an accomplished academic and researcher specialising in tropical ecology, with a focus on the anthropogenic environmental challenges facing the Pacific Islands, particularly in Melanesia.
Over nearly two decades, Dr. Katovai has advanced through the ranks of academia, from a tutor to an Associate Professor, reflecting his dedication, expertise, and leadership in both research and education.
Dr. Katovai earned his Ph.D. in Tropical Ecology from James Cook University, Australia, and a Master of Science in Conservation Biology from the University of Queensland.
He also holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Physics, as well as a Bachelor of Education from Pacific Adventist University in Papua New Guinea.
This interdisciplinary academic background provides a strong foundation for his multifaceted approach to research and teaching.
Currently, Dr. Katovai serves as the Acting Pro Vice-Chancellor (Academic) and Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology at SINU.
In this leadership role, he has been instrumental in advancing research excellence and promoting academic development.
Additionally, he holds adjunct senior positions at both the University of the South Pacific and Pacific Adventist University, where he actively mentors and supervises postgraduate students and early-career staff, demonstrating his commitment to nurturing emerging scholars and scientists.
Dr. Katovai has a robust track record in postgraduate supervision across several leading institutions, both locally, regionally, and internationally.
He has guided students at various levels, including Bachelor’s Honours, Master’s, and Ph.D. candidates, at universities such as Pacific Adventist University, the University of the South Pacific, and the University of Canterbury in New Zealand. Many of his students have successfully graduated, while others are currently pursuing advanced research degrees under his guidance.
This extensive involvement highlights his dedication to developing the next generation of scientists and his significant contributions to the field of tropical ecology and environmental management in the Pacific region.
Dr. Katovai’s research focuses on the ecology and restoration of logged tropical forests, biodiversity conservation, and ecosystem recovery in the Solomon Islands and the broader Melanesian region.
His leadership in key projects, such as the Ensuring Resilient Ecosystems and Protected Areas (EREPA) initiative, the Livelihoods in Forest Ecosystem Recovery (LIFER) program, and the Establishing Forest Observatory Plots across Melanesia (MELANOB) project, underscores his dedication to sustainable development and ecosystem management.
In addition to his academic and research roles, Dr. Katovai serves as an active reviewer for several prestigious scientific journals, including Biotropica, Conservation Biology, Forest Ecology and Management, Journal of Sustainable Forestry, Land Use Policy, and Restoration Ecology, as well as other journals within the MDPI Open Access network.
His contributions help ensure the quality and advancement of research in his field, demonstrating his commitment to maintaining high standards in tropical ecology and conservation.
A prolific researcher, Dr. Katovai has published extensively in scientific journals on topics ranging from forest regeneration to the impacts of land use on biodiversity and ecosystem restoration. He is also deeply involved in community environmental stewardship, providing technical advice and educational talks, particularly in the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea.
Dr. Katovai’s influence extends beyond academia and research; he is a Member of the International Science Council (ISC) Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Liaison Committee, where he advocates for integrating the unique challenges faced by small island nations—such as climate change and biodiversity loss—into global research agendas and policy frameworks.
He is also a Member of the Pacific Academy of Sciences Establishment Committee, responsible for the strategic development of the Academy, which aims to unite the Pacific region’s leading scientists to foster collaboration, promote research excellence, and address regional and global challenges through science-driven initiatives.
The Pacific Academy of Sciences will be launched on 23rd October 2024 in Samoa alongside the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
Dr. Katovai also holds several key roles in academic and advisory capacities at the University of the South Pacific and Fulton University College.
At USP, he serves as the Program Advisory Committee Pacific Islands Representative for the Geography, Environmental Science, and Earth Science Division in SAGEONS. Additionally, he was recently recommended by the Solomon Islands government as a co-opted member of the USP Council, representing the academic community of the Solomon Islands. At Fulton University College, he is a Council Member and the Chairman of the Recruitment Committee, a sub-committee of the council.
Dr. William Parairato brings over 25 years of experience in the fields of public administration, corporate governance, and education to his new role as Pro Vice Chancellor (Corporate).
He holds a Ph.D. in Management and Public Administration from the University of the South Pacific (USP), which he earned in March 2020 with distinction. His academic qualifications also include a Master of Management from Massey University, New Zealand, as well as a Postgraduate Diploma in Management and Public Administration from USP.
Dr. Parairato’s extensive career began as a Lecturer in Business Studies at Solomon Islands College of Higher Education (SICHE) in 1996.
Since then, he has taken on numerous senior leadership roles in both public and private sectors, including serving as the Manager of Administration at the Development Bank of Solomon Islands (DBSI) and the General Manager (Ag) for the West Are’Are Constituency Shipping Community Company.
He has consistently provided strategic direction and overseen the implementation of institutional reforms across various sectors, helping to ensure efficiency and operational sustainability.
As the Managing Director of Frontier Consulting Services from 2017 to 2019, Dr. Parairato managed consultancy projects in business and public administration, providing expertise in corporate governance and management across the Solomon Islands and the wider Pacific region.
His extensive involvement in teaching, consulting, and administration, particularly in the areas of finance and personnel management, underlines his commitment to advancing the development of institutions and governance systems in the Solomon Islands.
Dr. Parairato has a deep passion for teaching and mentoring, reflected in his academic roles at USP and his earlier positions at SICHE, where he contributed to the education of young Solomon Islanders in the fields of business, economics, and management.
His leadership is further demonstrated by his ability to design and implement training programmes that focus on capacity building, human resource development, and corporate governance.
In his new role as Pro Vice Chancellor (Corporate), Dr. Parairato will oversee the corporate portfolio of SINU, guiding the institution’s financial and operational strategies as it continues to expand and grow in the Pacific region.
The appointments of Dr. Eric Katovai and Dr. William Parairato signal a new chapter in the leadership of SINU as the University seeks to strengthen its academic and corporate frameworks. Both individuals bring exceptional expertise and experience, and their leadership will undoubtedly play a critical role in SINU’s ongoing efforts to achieve international recognition and drive reforms that will benefit the entire academic community.
- SINU Press
