ONE of the visions of the Vice Chancellor (VC) of the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) Dr Transform Aqorau is that students who completed their studies at Solomon Islands National University (SINU) gain overseas recognition and be able to secure jobs abroad.
Dr Transform Aqorau was the Guest Speaker at the 2023 Australian Alumni Association Annual Dinner held at Cowboys Grill in Honiara last Saturday.
He was speaking on the theme ‘Strategically Leveraging Your Network for Tangible Outcomes.’
Reflecting on his role as the SINU Vice-Chancellor, he envisioned a transformative journey for the institution in the upcoming decade.
“My aspiration is to cultivate a global standard of employability for our graduates ensuring that professionals like nurses, teachers, accountants, environmentalists and agriculturists graduating from SINU are universally recognised and can seamlessly secure overseas positions,” he said.
Dr Aqorau added that he hopes that within the next five years or so, SINU will offer a number of programmes in partnership with overseas institutions.
“I ardently hope that within a five to 10 years span, SINU will offer at least five collaborative programmes in partnership with institutions like USP, as well as Australian and New Zealand universities.
“Such partnerships necessitate forging robust ties with industry experts and global academic institutions. The impending future undoubtedly leans towards technological advancements and a knowledge-based economy, requiring us to keep pace with these shifts,” he said.
In the immediate horizon of 2 to 3 years, he anticipated that SINU’s operational systems, covering enrolment, finances, and governance will be seamlessly integrated and digitised.
“Such infrastructure will not only streamline audits in compliance with the SINU Act but will also enhance the transparency of our procurement processes and foster donor confidence in SINU’s financial and governance structures.
“Investing in these domains will ensure that our future leaders possess globally relevant skills. This will also drive essential reforms, particularly in bolstering English proficiency and communication abilities, to uphold the prestigious reputation of our qualifications, reminiscent of the acclaim garnered institutions like the Honiara Technical Institute and SICHE.”
In the longer run, Dr Aqorau is aspiring for SINU’s TVET and Trade Programmes to gain accreditation from esteemed bodies like APTC and Queensland/NSW TAFE.
“I also envision a more autonomous administrative structure for heightened efficacy. A significant rise in the labour mobility of skilled Solomon Islanders to Australia and New Zealand will deepen our economic integration with these nations. “Notably, I’m keen on elevating the SINU Bachelor of Nursing Programme through a collaboration with an Australian institution, aligning it with the best practices of University hospitals,” he said.
By MOFFAT MAMU
