𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐔 𝐕𝐢𝐜𝐞-𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐫 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐫 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦 𝐀𝐪𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐮 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐖𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐚 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥, 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬

𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞

𝟐𝟒 𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓

𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐔 𝐕𝐢𝐜𝐞-𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐫 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐫 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦 𝐀𝐪𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐮 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐖𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐚 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥, 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬

The Solomon Islands National University (SINU) Vice-Chancellor, Professor Transform Aqorau, travelled to Wagina Island as Guest of Honour at the Wagina Community High School 2025 Graduation Ceremony, which was held on 22 October 2025. During the event, he delivered an inspiring keynote address titled “Education: A Transformative Agent for Our Students’ Stronger and Brighter Future.”

Accompanying the Vice-Chancellor on this visit was Mr. Jonny Tasa, Learners Centre Support Coordinator at SINU’s Centre for Distance and Flexible Learning (CDFL), highlighting the University’s strong commitment to extending educational access to all corners of the country.

This visit marks the first official trip by a SINU Vice-Chancellor to Wagina, a proud Micronesian community renowned for its resilience and unity since its relocation from the Gilbert Islands in the 1950s and 1960s.

Professor Aqorau commended the students, teachers, and parents for their perseverance and commitment to education despite the challenges of isolation.

“Being a small or distant community does not mean having small dreams or small potential,” he said. “Education is not only about getting jobs in the city, but also about bringing knowledge back to improve life in the village. When our young people learn new farming, business, or technology skills, they build a stronger and more self-reliant Wagina.”

In his address, Professor Aqorau reflected on the courage and heritage of the Wagina people, calling them “a living testament to resilience and vision.” He celebrated their achievements in seaweed farming, which contributes nearly 90% of the Solomon Islands’ seaweed exports and encouraged them to blend traditional wisdom with modern education to strengthen their livelihoods.

He also shared the inspiring journey of Dr. Tammy Tabe, a proud daughter of Wagina who earned her PhD in Norway.

“Tammy’s story reminds us that no dream is too big,” he said. “If one of your own can rise to such heights, then so can you. Education, faith, and determination are the keys that will open doors to your future.”

Professor Aqorau reaffirmed SINU’s commitment to ensuring education reaches all Solomon Islanders, especially those in rural and remote islands. He announced that the University is expanding its Flexible and Distance Learning programs and exploring scholarship opportunities for students from Micronesian backgrounds, including Wagina.

“At SINU, we believe education must reach every island, every village, and every person who seeks to learn,” he said. “We are bringing classrooms closer to you because education transforms lives and strengthens communities.”

He also highlighted SINU’s partnerships with rural communities through research and innovation, including projects in climate adaptation, sustainable seaweed farming, and marine resource management, all vital to the future of coastal livelihoods.

Drawing from Scripture, Professor Aqorau reminded the audience that faith and education go hand in hand.

“Education is one of God’s gifts, a tool He provides to help us fulfil the hope and future He promises,” he said, quoting Jeremiah 29:11. “With God’s help, your family’s support, and your own determination, you can overcome obstacles and turn challenges into opportunities.”

He concluded by encouraging students to “set their sails bravely across the sea of their future,” reminding them that education is the vessel that will carry them toward their dreams.

The Principal of Wagina Community High School described the visit as “a historic and humbling moment for our island and our students,” expressing gratitude for SINU’s commitment to inclusive education.

In a symbolic gesture reflecting Wagina’s seafaring identity, Professor Aqorau travelled by canoe from Noro to Wagina, accompanied by Mr. Jonny Tasa, demonstrating their deep respect for the community and reaffirming SINU’s dedication to reaching even the most remote corners of the Solomon Islands.

Read the Vice-Chancellor’s keynote address here:Vice-Chancellor’s Graduation Speech for Wagina Community High School

ENDS//