BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
The Solomon Islands National University marked a major milestone yesterday as it celebrated the graduation of 1,005 students under the theme “Shaping the Future: Knowledge, Technology and Nation Building.”
Addressing the ceremony, university Vice Chancellor Professor Transform Aqorau said that the theme represents more than a ceremonial slogan, describing it as a call to action for higher education to play a central role in preparing minds, building character, and strengthening communities for national development.
“The graduating class reflects a diverse academic background, with students completing programs across faculties including nursing and health sciences, education and humanities, business and technology, agriculture, forestry and fisheries, as well as technical and vocational education and training.
“The cohort also included 41 international students from Vanuatu, highlighting the university’s growing regional reach,” he said.
He said that of the total graduates, 632 were women, accounting for 63 per cent of the class, while 373 were men, making up 37 percent.
“This strong female representation is an encouraging sign for Solomon Islands and for our region, because when women and men are both allowed to learn, to lead and serve, the whole nation is strengthened,” he said.
He said that the cohort speaks powerfully to widening opportunity and achievement.
VC Aqorau said that the largest group of graduates come from the Faculty of Nursing, Medicine and Health Sciences, with 385 graduates, and the Faculty of Education and Humanities, with 336 graduates, an important reminder of SINU’s contribution to the country’s health, education and public workforce.
“Among today’s graduates, we pay special tribute to our 33 high achievers, students who have graduated at the top of their programs, with a GPA of four and above. Their excellence deserves our admiration, not only because of the results they achieved, but because of what those results represent: discipline, perseverance, consistency and a refusal to settle for less than their best.
“To our high achievers, we congratulate you all. To every graduate here today, we also say this clearly: your journey matters, your achievement matters, and your presence on this stage matters.
“I encourage you to carry with you a strong sense of responsibility. The qualification you receive today is not just something you have earned for yourself. It carries an expectation,” VC Aqorau said.
Photo: John Houanihau
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