THE President of the Solomon Islands Students Association (SISA) at the University of South Pacific’s Laucala campus has explained his executive’s stand in helping students who are likely to lose their scholarships this semester.
This was after this paper published a story which says the SISA executive is sympathising with the students therefore pledged their support in appealing the government’s decision.
In an email yesterday, SISA President Richard Hou explains his executive’s position on the issue.
“Firstly let me explain SISA Executive’s position on the issue released on your paper on Sunday 17/07/2016 being labelled that SISA executive is appealing against the NTC decision on Students suspension and termination.
“The move to appeal against NTC decision was a collective idea from the student bodies from cultural Groups.
“SISA executive was in their meeting to listen and give advice,” Hou explained.
“Our advice for the individual suspended and terminated students was to submit their formal appeal attaching evidences to support their request.
“For example, their performances, tutorials and lecture attendances percentages from USP, and their course work records. All these informations are to be provided by the students’ before the SISA executive could make a request to support the students in their appeal process,” he added.
Hou told the Solomon Star that, the SISA executive can only make recommendation to NTC on where to improve in the policy but not to appeal against their decision as it was in the scholarships policy.
“SISA can only support who is genuine,” the President concluded by saying this in his email.
Meanwhile, more than thirty government sponsored students studying at the USP’s Laucala Campus in Suva, Fiji are expected to be terminated and others receiving indefinite suspension to their scholarships.
This year’s termination and suspension number has decreased compared to last year’s first semester which was 59.
By RONALD TOITO’ONA
