MoFR Acting PS Wilfred Atomea shake hands with SINU Staff Gideon Bauro to formally hand over the Forestry Training Resources to SINU Forestry Department witnessed by staff and students
Press Release
24 May 2025ย
The Solomon Islands National University (SINU) Forestry Department has received a timely boost to its training resources, thanks to the Ministry of Forestry and Research (MoFR).
In a brief but meaningful handover ceremony held on Wednesday afternoon at the Solomon Islands National Herbarium, MoFR Supervising Permanent Secretary Mr. Wilfred Atomea officially handed over critical training items to the department. The donated items include archival mounting papers and archival glueโessential tools used in the preservation and study of plant species.
Mr. Atomea described the support as a natural extension of MoFRโs longstanding relationship with SINUโs Forestry Department.
โThe Department is like a child to the Ministry,โ he said.
โIt is only right that we continue to support and nurture it so that it continues to produce qualified forestry professionals for the country.โ
Receiving the donation on behalf of SINU, Mr. Gideon Bouro expressed gratitude and acknowledged the Ministry as both a key education partner and a primary employer of SINUโs forestry graduates.
โThis partnership demonstrates how academic and industry goals can align to strengthen the forestry sector,โ he said.
โThe support also enhances practical learning within the Forest Dendrology Unit, where students carry out field assignments including plant specimen collection, drying, and archival mounting.โ
Mr. Bouro also noted that this collaboration is anchored by a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between SINU and MoFR, which underscores mutual commitment to advancing forestry education and the sustainable development of the sector.
Forestry staff who witnessed the ceremony included Mr. Peter Mahoa, Mr. Larren Gomese, part-time lecturer Mr. John Inu, and 26 forestry students.
The handover ceremony concluded with a guided educational tour of the Solomon Islands National Herbarium, where students gained firsthand insights into plant conservation and botanical archiving.
ENDS//